Every winter people in Pakistan face the spectre of a lack of gas when it is needed most. They wake up to cold stoves, low gas pressure and difficulty in cooking meals almost every day. Many are now forced to use costly cylinders, electric stoves and even firewood, which ultimately increases their expenses. This problem did not start suddenly and has been growing slowly for years. The main reason is that Pakistan’s natural gas reserves are decreasing, with old pipelines and gas theft compounding the problems created by heightened scarcity. The country’s economy is also being hit.
Industrial units and restaurants depend on gas. Many workers lose their jobs because of low supply. Finding new gas fields, fixing old pipelines and, most importantly, increasing renewable energy sources are the remedies to this crisis.
Zehra Waseem
Karachi
