While tempers across Punjab light up over the lack of fuel, the government appears to be extremely uncertain about what its policy is regarding the supply of natural gas, which is in desperately short supply. A decision had been taken a week ago after a top level meeting to suspend supply of gas to the CNG sector and industry in order to ensure that the needs of domestic consumers were met. However, domestic consumers, who have staged protests in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi, say that while CNG stations are no longer being provided gas, the supply to the textile industry is in place, resulting in drastic shortages. The textile industry has stated it was close to collapse due to fuel cuts. The protesters have said that it is impossible to cook food or heat water because of the problem. Lahore is among the worst affected cities, falling in Zone A where gas is suspended at 6am to some parts of the city for up to six hours. Faisalabad and Multan are also experiencing up to six hours of daily gas loadshedding. While there is too little gas to meet needs, last Thursday the ECC approved a 23 percent increase in the gas tariff for industrial and commercial consumers. Just a day later the PM apparently turned down this proposal. This back and forth hardly wins any confidence of the people.
It should be kept in mind that the winter season has barely started. A worsening of the situation can be expected over the weeks to come. Low gas pressure is a perennial problem as problems arise in pipelines due to cold weather, adding to the issues caused by a lack of gas. This is something that is yet to come. The demand for gas will also increase as more water geysers and room heaters go on. For many years it has proved almost impossible in many parts of Punjab to use these appliances. The government must take these protests seriously. Such a grave shortage of fuel cannot be tolerated for a prolonged period of time by citizens who pay high gas bills each month. The price of the once cheap natural gas has increased over the years with subsidies being removed. The policy is obviously in need of review. While the government cannot starve the industrial sector of gas, it must also cater to the urgent needs of citizens who depend on the steady input of gas to light their stoves and warm their homes in the bitter cold winter of the north.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Pakistan: Gas loadshedding - Fire and fuel
While tempers across Punjab light up over the lack of fuel, the government appears to be extremely uncertain about what its policy is regarding the supply of natural gas, which is in desperately short supply. A decision had been taken a week ago after a top level meeting to suspend supply of gas to the CNG sector and industry in order to ensure that the needs of domestic consumers were met. However, domestic consumers, who have staged protests in Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Lahore and Rawalpindi, say that while CNG stations are no longer being provided gas, the supply to the textile industry is in place, resulting in drastic shortages. The textile industry has stated it was close to collapse due to fuel cuts. The protesters have said that it is impossible to cook food or heat water because of the problem. Lahore is among the worst affected cities, falling in Zone A where gas is suspended at 6am to some parts of the city for up to six hours. Faisalabad and Multan are also experiencing up to six hours of daily gas loadshedding. While there is too little gas to meet needs, last Thursday the ECC approved a 23 percent increase in the gas tariff for industrial and commercial consumers. Just a day later the PM apparently turned down this proposal. This back and forth hardly wins any confidence of the people.
It should be kept in mind that the winter season has barely started. A worsening of the situation can be expected over the weeks to come. Low gas pressure is a perennial problem as problems arise in pipelines due to cold weather, adding to the issues caused by a lack of gas. This is something that is yet to come. The demand for gas will also increase as more water geysers and room heaters go on. For many years it has proved almost impossible in many parts of Punjab to use these appliances. The government must take these protests seriously. Such a grave shortage of fuel cannot be tolerated for a prolonged period of time by citizens who pay high gas bills each month. The price of the once cheap natural gas has increased over the years with subsidies being removed. The policy is obviously in need of review. While the government cannot starve the industrial sector of gas, it must also cater to the urgent needs of citizens who depend on the steady input of gas to light their stoves and warm their homes in the bitter cold winter of the north.
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