Protest against gas load shedding

Protesters block Jaranwala-Faisalabad Road for traffic.

FAISALABAD: Scores of people staged a protest demonstration in Jaranwala on Tuesday against the unscheduled gas load shedding. The protesters from Mohallah Hide Market, Islam Nagar, Chak 127-GB, Abu Zar Colony, Mehmood Colony, Alvi Park, Muhammad Ali Park and Farooq Park blocked Jaranwala-Faisalabad Road resulting in traffic chaos.

The protesters, carrying batons and iron rods, chanted slogans against the government.

“My children often get late from school as I am unable to make them breakfast on time,” Aasia Bibi, one of the protesters, told the media.

“The residents of Mehmood Colony have had no gas for eight days. We complained to the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited but the situation has not improved.” Zareena Bibi, a protester from Mohallah Hide Market, said she, too, was unable to cook food on time.

“My husband is unhappy when he doesn’t get breakfast on time. I cannot do anything about it. There is no gas at home… and tandoors in the area are crowded,” she said.

A heavy contingent of Jaranwala police was sent to the protest site. The protesters called off the demonstration after police assured them they would convey their concerns to the authorities concerned.

Adnan Rafiq, an SNGPL spokesman, told The Express Tribune demand for natural gas increased during winter.

“There is a gap between demand and supply. We have to resort to load management to run the system,” he said.

Rafiq said the SNGPL had to suspend the supply to some areas to provide gas to others. He said the situation would improve after winter. “We will be able to provide gas to all our consumers as soon as the weather improves,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2015.