IT is good that the prime minster has taken notice of public unrest in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa over the gas price hike, but Sindh has not even been mentioned.

The highest gas rate of Rs1,710 for top categories as reported by Dawn (Feb 6) is correct. It has been imposed on domestic consumers all over Hyderabad and must be the same for other cities of Sindh.

Lack of street protests does not mean Sindh is not affected.

Sindh, the major producer of gas, is being tormented by Sui Sothern Gas Company Limited with a domestic rate of Rs1,710, which is much higher than the commercial rate Rs913. This is sheer injustice.

For example, the gas bill of Bilal Masjid in Hyderabad having consumed 473 units has been charged Rs28,305. Similar is my personal case and several other households in the neighbourhood.

Having the shortage of water and electricity, the consumers are now facing this new gas price bomb.

The other factor is CNG’s abrupt closures. The CNG consumers are being tortured with closures. Thus, on the one side, the domestic consumer is being mentally tortured, on the other hand, CNG consumers are also being charged so high, that too in Sindh, which is the highest gas producer.

Will the government include Sindh when it comes to reducing gas rates?

M.N

Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, February 16th, 2019