With gas shortfall estimated at about 1.7 billion cubic feet per day (BCFD) in the country, low pressure and gas loadshedding in the twin cities have forced common citizens to utilise alternative sources of fuel at inflated prices to meet domestic purposes.

The shortage of gas has created inconvenience for masses as they are facing trouble in baking food and heating purposes. The residents of twin citizens are facing severe scarcity of natural gas and are perturbed over severe gas shortage, which has forced them to purchase LPG at high prices. However, the LPG marketing companies had increased the prices of cylinders five times during one month while the authorities concerned paid little heed to the public misery and played a role of silent spectator so far. Even, local shopkeepers have jacked up prices of coal, wood and kerosene, viewing the urgency of the situation.

During a recent survey of twin cities conducted by this newspaper, it has become very clear that low gas pressure has multiplied the miseries of domestic consumers in most parts of the twin city, compelling them to use alternate methods to fulfil their household chores. Even, daily routine has also been badly affected due to the low pressure of gas especially at early morning hours and in the evening when the pressure is reduced to zero and it becomes too difficult for the people to cook. One of the respondent told that they have been facing low gas pressure from last few weeks and registered complaints with concerned department many times but to no avail.

The survey has also disclosed that shortage of gas had created inconvenience for masses as they are forced to bear heavy brunt of gas outages in baking food and heating purposes in various areas of the twin cities including sectors G-7/1, G-7/2, G-10/1, G-10/4, CDA Officers Colony and Committee Chowk as well.

Respondents of the survey were of the view that they are being forced to purchase LPG cylinders on inflated rates, as the LPG companies were taking advantage of the shortage and low pressure of gas. They further said reaching late at the office and business has become a routine owing to low gas pressure. They also complained against increase in the prices of LPG cylinders five times during one month.

It merits mentioning here that residents of sector G/7-2 of the federal capital has organised a protest demonstration on Sunday against low gas pressure and scarcity of natural gas at zero point and chanted slogans against Sui Northern Gas Company Limited (SNGPL) management. However, Assistant Commissioner Islamabad arrived at the spot and assured the protestors that gas supply would be restored and their grievances would be addressed properly. Upon this the protestors dispersed.