Islamabad, April 15 (NationPress) Residents in Punjab are grappling with severe issues as power outages have escalated to eight hours in urban areas and between 12 to 16 hours in rural regions serviced by the Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and other districts across the province, as reported by local media on Wednesday.

The situation deteriorated on Monday evening when unannounced or forced loadshedding began occurring hourly in Lahore and neighboring towns, causing residents to spend extended periods without electricity, as noted by the daily Dawn.

Moreover, many areas in Punjab are experiencing challenges due to reduced gas availability during cooking hours and low gas pressure in tail-end locations.

Liaqat, a local from Awan Town, expressed that his family has struggled to sleep amid consistent loadshedding, labeling Tuesday as a “terrible day” due to prolonged power outages from morning until evening.

Power disruptions have also affected various districts in Punjab, such as Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Toba Tek Singh, Sahiwal, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Multan, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh, and Dera Ghazi Khan. A spokesperson for Lesco acknowledged a rise in complaints regarding loadshedding.

In addition, numerous regions in Punjab, including Lahore, are suffering from gas shortages, particularly during cooking hours. The situation is significantly worse in tail-end areas, where residents endure extremely low gas pressure during these times.

A resident of Gulberg stated, “Previously, gas was supplied for three to four hours each during morning, noon, and evening. Now, we barely receive gas for two hours during cooking times.” He also mentioned that relatives in other parts of Punjab are facing similar challenges with low gas pressure or complete shortages during cooking hours.

Simultaneously, residents in Karachi are encountering similar hardships, as the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has been unable to guarantee gas supply even during meal times three times a day, according to Dawn.

The SSGC has claimed to provide gas to households from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (local time) without interruption. However, over the last fortnight, residents of Karachi have reported unexpected gas outages in their areas, leading to widespread dissatisfaction. Many households have resorted to purchasing alternative cooking options from roadside vendors, restaurants, and LPG suppliers.

As residents seek alternatives, long lines have formed at LPG stations, with refilling taking a considerable amount of time. Moreover, LPG is unavailable at numerous stores, compounding the challenges faced by the populace.