PESHAWAR: The Awami National Party workers demonstrated here on Monday against gas loadshedding in different localities of the provincial capital, and demanded of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to take immediate notice of the matter and ensure smooth gas supply to the consumers.

The protesters, holding banners and placards inscribed with their demands, gathered outside the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly led by party’s provincial spokesperson Samar Haroon Bilour and provincial senior vice-president Khushdil Khan.

On the occasion, the party leaders said they had held a meeting with the SNGPL officials about a month ago, where the latter had assured smooth gas supply to domestic consumers, but to no avail.

They referred to the Article 158 of the Constitution, saying that the government was legally bound to ensure gas supply to domestic consumers on priority. They said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was producing surplus gas but it was supplied to Punjab in violation of the Constitution.

The consumers, they said were facing serious problems during Iftar and Sehr while preparing food. They said the people had no option but to purchase the costly LPG or use firewood for cooking.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2022