RAWALPINDI: Residents of the twin cities have had to endure gas shortages over the last few days and many have resorted to burning wood and coal for their meals and to heat up water.

A senior official at Sui Natural Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) told Dawn the shortages were because of problems at the natural gas fields and in the supply lines.

He said it will take a few days to get the supply back to normal. However, he added, an increased demand for gas in the winter is also a big reason for the reduced pressure.

Meanwhile, residents have had to look for alternative ways to keep warm and cook.

Samad Khan, who lives in I-9, said people in the sector had resorted to using gas cylinders and even coal to cook meals. He said he had contacted the SNGPL but got no helpful reply.

“My 80-year-old parents have to use cold water for ablution early in the morning. The local mosques, however, have installed boilers that are fuelled by wood,” he added.

Rawalpindi Commissioner Zahid Saeed also complained of low pressure at his office, saying the heaters at his workplace did not work.

Many in Rawalpindi complained that the gas shortage was making their children sick as well. Mohammad Hussein, who lives in Saddar, said: “My seven-year-old son has been using cold water for washing up and it has made him sick. I got gas cylinders for cooking and for heating water, which is an additional expense that I cannot afford.”

He added: “Why should we pay taxes and bills for gas when it is not available to us when we need it most?”

It is not just the government and SNGPL who are to blame for the problem, according to some residents of Committee Chowk. They said some people have installed gas compressors to increase pressure in their homes which left the ones who had not done so with no gas at all.

Mohammad Tahir said the gas compressors could be bought form electronics shops along College Road and from Saddar. Those who cannot afford buying the compressors have to make do with gas cylinders and coal or wood to keep warm.

PTI local leader Zahid Kazmi, however, blamed the PML-N for the energy crisis, saying the country had to face electricity shortages in the summers and natural gas shortfalls in winters.

“The ruling party has fooled people with false promises. The government has not improved the energy crisis and it should resign now,” Mr Kazmi said.

On the other hand, Former PML-N MNA Malik Shakil Awan told Dawn they were looking into the problem and that he had met SNGPL officials to talk about the gas shortage.

He said SNGPL will be cutting off supply to some CNG stations from December 16 onwards, which will improve the situation a little.

“Work is underway on the main gas supply line to the twin cities and the situation will improve in a few days,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 16th, 2015