The issue of collecting natural gas in plastic bags due to non-supply to domestic consumers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in Peshawar, was raised in the provincial assembly. The district administration has been instructed to launch a strict crackdown on this practice.
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI) Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Rehana Ismail highlighted the matter through a call-attention notice, informing the assembly that domestic consumers were storing gas in plastic bags.
She explained that the stored gas is later used during load shedding hours, with some bags holding a quantity of gas much greater than a large-sized cylinder.
Rehana Ismail warned that keeping gas-filled plastic bags on rooftops, in garages, or balconies is highly dangerous, not just for the households involved but for their neighbors as well. She compared the risk to a suicide bombing.
She urged the district administration to take action. In response, Law Minister Aftab Alam stated that a notification was issued in December, banning the practice of storing gas in shopping bags.
He added that Section 144 has been enforced, and raids have been conducted at various collection points. However, public awareness is also necessary to address the issue.
The Provincial Minister of Law further pointed out that over 50% of the province’s gas production comes from the southern districts, yet despite this, citizens are not receiving an adequate supply under the guise of gas management.
The Speaker of the Provincial Assembly emphasized that the issue poses extreme risks, particularly for women and children in households, and public awareness is crucial.
He criticized relevant authorities, stating that while they are eager to generate revenue, they must be held accountable for failing to provide gas to paying consumers.
Other assembly members, including Rangrez Khan, Pir Masoor Shah, and Shahjahan Yousaf, also expressed strong concerns over the non-supply of gas to general consumers despite high gas production in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
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