Rawalpindi, the third-largest city in Pakistan's Punjab province, is grappling with an alarming gas crisis that has left many residents struggling to manage their daily routines.
As temperatures plummet, reports confirm that supply disruptions are affecting approximately 70 per cent of the city, exacerbating the hardships faced by its citizens.
According to a report by ARY News, various neighbourhoods have been severely hit by the gas shortages, which have left families unable to prepare meals and complete other essential tasks.
Residents of areas including Chaklala Scheme III, Gulistan Colony, Wilayat Homes, Eidgah Mohalla, Jamia Masjid Road, Dhoke Hassu, Dhoke Kashmirian, Sadiqabad Khurram Colony, Rawalpindi Cantonment, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, and Dhoke Kala Khan have all reported difficulties due to the lack of gas supply.
This disruption occurs at an especially inopportune moment, with many tandoors in nearby neighbourhoods forced to shut down at a time when they are typically in high demand to provide warmth and sustenance.
The closure of these eateries highlights not only the personal impact on households but also the broader economic strain the gas crisis is placing on local businesses.
Traditionally, the winter months bring increased demand for cooking gas; however, the recent supply issues have led to anxious households and frustrated local traders. With the cold weather settling in, the challenges associated with the gas shortage have become a pressing concern for many families, who now face an uncertain few weeks ahead.
As city authorities scramble to address these supply disruptions, residents are left wondering when normalcy will return.
The ongoing gas crisis serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that emerge during winter, compelling the government to take immediate action to restore essential utilities to its citizens.
Further compounding the problem is reports revealing that the gas crisis has distressed parents, who have been forced to send their children to school without breakfast, as per ARY News.
Recently some residents of Quetta took to the streets in protest against gas shortages amid the cold. The protesters chanted slogans against the administration. This demonstration comes hot on the heels of a a similar protest in Mastung, where locals had blocked the Quetta-Karachi National Highway to express their frustration over the lack of gas and electricity, The Balochistan Post reported.
The Star