LAHORE/RAWALPINDI: The shortage of gas in several parts of Punjab has irked the people as winter season is at its peak.
People in large numbers, including house wives held protests in different cities including Rawalpindi, Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Chakwal, Jhelum, Attock and in small towns across the province over excessive gas load shedding.
The citizens said that they are facing problems at domestic level in preparing their breakfast, lunch and dinner as the pressure of gas goes to zero and the stoves go off.
People living in these cities lashed out at the government for inefficient performance and demanded to restore the gas supply as early as possible. They said they cannot believe that the gas supply can go to zero level even after the closure of CNG stations.
Some residents talking to this news agency in Rawalpindi said the reason for the shortage of gas is its supply to power plants and industries of people that are close to the government. They said the situation became acute after the local government elections because the government is now feeling no pressure of losing its popularity.
They demanded that if the gas supply is so acute, it must be stopped across entire Punjab and in the Federal Capital and there should be no favours to VVIPs. They said while the poor people who are totally dependent on relatively cheap energy to prepare their two time meal are denied of this facility, it is available in abundance to the people living in posh localities and using their heaters as well.
On the other hand, restaurants are also forced to use wood for making food as the people were forced to different eating places due to gas dearth.
Taking advantage of the fuel shortage, the rates of fire wood have also gone up to Rs 1000 per 40 kg.
