January 05, 2008	Saturday	Zilhaj 25, 1428

PESHAWAR, Jan 4: The officials of the Sui Northern Gas Company on Friday set a dubious record by suspending the supply of gas to various localities of the provincial capital for the whole day.

Despite protest demonstrations by the consumers no respite was observed regarding the prolonged gas and power loadshedding.

The residents of many localities, including Shaikh Mohammadi, Matra, Dilazak Road and Badh Ber, staged demonstrations and condemned the officials of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company for their failure to ensure a smooth supply of electricity. Complainants from several localities said they were forced to purchase either cylinders of liquefied petroleum gas or firewood for cooking.

The problem at the CNG filling stations has been persisting for quite some time where long queues of cars can be seen. Some of the drivers said they got their fuel tanks filled at night when the gas supply was normal.

Meanwhile, former parliamentary leader of the Awami National Party in the NWFP Assembly Bashir Ahmed Bilour has criticised the government for its failure to resolve the people’s problems.

In a statement, he said that gas, flour and electricity had become rare commodities in Peshawar, alleging that the crisis had been created by the government itself which was creating unrest among the masses.

He alleged that electricity was being generated in the NWFP but the people were being deprived of it deliberately. Mr Bilour added that Punjab had stopped supplying the required quota of wheat to the NWFP. He also asked President Pervez Musharraf to admit his failures and step down.