PESHAWAR, LAHORE, KARACHI: In spite of provincial governments’ assurances to household consumers that gas supplies would not be interrupted during Ramadan, gas has become scarce during the Holy Month, forcing locals to rely on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders, which has raised the cost of LPG cylinders.
The people of the country have begun to rely on LPG gas cylinders to prepare meals for sehri and iftar because they are fed up with the government’s broken promises. The public is displeased because LPG cylinder vendors have taken advantage of the surge in demand by overcharging for the cylinders.
Shaan is one such person who operates a motorbike for a Karachi-based ride-hailing service. “Prices for a cylinder were Rs 200 a few days ago, but since Ramazan started, they have gone up to Rs 500,” said Shaan, adding that the increase in cost has destroyed his monthly budget.
Asif Abbasi, another local, agreed with Shaan and expressed his indignation at the government’s hike in petrol prices and its role as a mute observer while the LPG cylinder mafia profited off of their actions.
Like the people of Karachi, the people of Lahore are also disturbed. A city citizen named Muhammad Ejaz claimed that the administration had made up its promises to provide a steady supply of petrol throughout Ramadan.
“There is no gas because the Sui Northern Gas Company’s gas timetable is not being followed. Ejaz said, “People have also put in illegal gas generators at their houses, which has made our situation worse. Although Muhammad Umair agreed with Ejaz, he believed that the people were left on their own by the government. “If we have to use power because there is no gas, the costs are really high.
The other option is LPG, which is now also quite costly. What actions ought the people to take? Sakina, a Peshawar-based homemaker, understands Umair’s frustration.
“Our lives have become more difficult due to the gas load shedding,” she said in an interview with the Express Tribune. But Sakina is not the only one whose life has turned terrible as a result of the gas shortage.
Another city dweller, Zahra, understands her predicament. Gas can occasionally be found from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and if we’re lucky, it can also be found from 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.
But we can’t prepare breakfast for the kids, who aren’t fasting, or cook properly in this little amount of time,” she said.
The cost of LPG cylinders has increased, which has made the situation worse. The retail price of one kilogramme of LPG is Rs 350, making it unaffordable for middle-class households, the speaker continued.
The Express Tribune also talked to the LPG Distributors Association about the state of the people.
“LPG is officially priced at Rs 257 per kilogramme.
Irfan Khokhar, Chairman of the LPG Distributors Association of Pakistan, acknowledged that hoarders and profiteers do, in fact, retail LPG between Rs 300 and Rs 350. In an interview with the Express Tribune, Peshawar LPG dealer Sikandar Khan also made a comparable concession.
“It is true that dealers are profiteering due to the shortage of Sui petrol, even though LPG prices have increased,” Khan stated.
The Express Tribune questioned the Sui Southern Gas Company spokesperson over the irregular gas delivery during Ramadan in light of Khokhar and Khan’s disclosures. “We are making every effort to guarantee gas supply during the hours of sehri and iftar,” the spokesperson said.
