The other day as I was driving home, I heard on the radio a public service message, which said that the use of gas heaters is extremely dangerous and so we should refrain from their usage and wear warm clothes instead. The message ended by saying that in case of any problem, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) should be contacted.
It is no secret that Pakistan is currently facing a dire shortage of gas and it is because of this scarcity that the government had ordered a two-day closure of the CNG stations and a three-day closure of industries.
Therefore, it is ironic that in conditions like these, we are now being warned of the hazards of using gas heaters in winters.
Such messages are ridiculous and the authorities are only playing with our emotions.
In the summers, we are made to sweat because of the shortage of electricity, and in winters we are expected to dress as Eskimos even in our houses because our country does not have sufficient gas and the government lacks the sincerity and inclination to even try and do something about it.
MUHAMMAD MUSSAB AQEEL
Karachi