MANSEHRA: The district administration on Saturday asked CNG stations to stop selling gas for an indefinite period due to low gas pressure.

The gas crisis deepened in the region after the fresh spell of rain and snowfall across Hazara division.

“The gas supply to vehicles by CNG stations in our area will remain closed until further orders. The owners of CNG stations found to be violating the restriction will be dealt with strictly,” said a circular issued by deputy commissioner here on Saturday.

Admin cites low gas pressure as reason for move

Complaining about low gas pressure, the residents and CNG station owners claimed that their gas share was being given to Punjab.

They demanded full gas pressure in Hazara division in accordance with the distribution formula.

In a video message, Speaker of the provincial assembly and local MPA, Mushtaq Ghani, apologised to residents over low gas pressure and said he had called managing director of the SNGPL to the assembly over gas crisis before the prime minister suspended him.

He also said Hazara division was located on the tail of the natural gas supply system and therefore, the gas didn’t reach there during the harsh winter conditions when its demand increased significantly.

“Now, the issue of low gas pressure stands resolved,” he said.

KILLED: A herdsman was killed in Pulrah area here on Saturday.

Mohammad Adil had left home for a nearby forest but didn’t return.

The family found him seriously injured in the forest and shifted him to the Pulrah civil hospital, where the doctors pronounced him dead. The police registered a case and began investigation.

SNOWFALL: The upper parts of Hazara division on Saturday received a fresh spell of heavy snowfall and rains taking the mercury below the freezing.

The rain began in plain areas of Mansehra, Torghar and Kohistan districts in the wee hours of the day and continued intermittently all through the day.

Kaghan valley, Siren valley, Konsh and other hilly parts of Hazara division received snowfall all through the day blocking links roads.

According to the Met Office, the temperature in Kaghan fell below the freezing causing intense cold to grip the division.

Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2019