Gas shortage halts transport, disrupts schools

Severe difficulties have gripped students, parents and daily commuters in Peshawar and across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after the closure of CNG stations due to acute natural gas shortage. Most school van and bus operators have decided to suspend their services because CNG is unavailable, while public transporters who have switched to petrol have sharply increased fares, adding to the financial burden on citizens. CNG filling stations remained shut for the second consecutive day in the provincial capital and other parts of the province on Sunday. In several areas, unannounced load-shedding of natural gas has further compounded the problems for domestic and commercial consumers. The closure of CNG stations has forced many vehicles to either stop operating or run on costlier petrol, resulting in a fresh hike in transport fares. School transporters are among the worst affected. Owners of Suzuki vans and buses say running vehicles on petrol is beyond their financial capacity, leaving them with no option but to park their fleets. Parents have expressed deep concern over the disruption in school transportation, fearing it will affect their children's education and daily routine. Public transport operators are also facing serious challenges. Those who have started using petrol instead of CNG have already raised fares. They warned that if CNG stations are not reopened soon, they will be forced to suspend services entirely, which could bring public movement in the city to a virtual standstill. The prolonged gas crisis has once again highlighted the fragile energy situation in the province, leaving thousands of citizens struggling with both mobility and household needs. Residents have appealed to the authorities concerned to resolve the issue on an urgent basis and ensure uninterrupted supply of CNG and natural gas.