PESHAWAR: Residents of different localities held a protest demonstration here on Sunday against the prolonged suspensions of natural gas and demanded of the officials concerned to ensure smooth supply during the winter months.

The residents of Gulberg, Nauthia, Miskinabad and Shaheen Colony demonstrated on the GT Road and shouted anti-government slogans. The protesters were holding banners and placards inscribed with demands for smooth supply of natural gas to consumers.

Speaking on the occasion, Awami National Party activist and opposition leader in the Peshawar district council Syed Zahir Advocate said gas supply to the localities was next to nil and the people were facing problems.

He said since the start of winter the gas supply had disappeared, adding the supply was suspended without any schedule. He maintained that whenever the supply was resumed it remained in low pressure.

“We are paying the utility bills regularly and have the right to get smooth gas supply,” the ANP activist complained.

Mr Zahir said the locals had time and again contacted the relevant officials both at Faqirabad and Hayatabad, but no one responded positively. Some of the officials, he said had pretended that the low pressure and suspension was due to the ongoing work on Bus Rapid Transit project.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2018