Persistent gas load shedding has sent citizens to the Stone Age as they have been forced to use firewood to cook food and meet their needs, residents said on Friday. Residents of the cantonment area including Dhok Jumma, Dhok Kalhor and Mubarak Lane, Allahabad, Dhok Hassoo, Dhok Mangtal and Peshawar Road have had gas load shedding from 6am to 5pm daily. They said while the world moves ahead on the path to progress Pakistan keeps regressing due to ill-conceived policies of the government. “Our rulers are on a looting and plunder spree and pay no heed to our problems,” said Nazir Ahmad, a social worker. “We are forced to burn firewood and use kerosene oil to prepare breakfast and meals and even that has consumed a large portion of our budget,” said Amir Abbasi. “We have to use gas cylinders to meet our daily needs, they cost a lot but we are forced to use them,” said Zia Ud Din, a ‘tandoor’ owner.
