FAISALABAD: Dozens of people blocked the traffic in front of the office of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on the Sargodha Road on Monday in protest against inflated gas bills.

The protesters were carrying the utility bills and they were chanting slogans against the government and the gas officials. They did not allow vehicles to run on the road, which led to the motorway, Chiniot and Sargodha for quite some time, causing a traffic jam.

Talking to the reporters, the women protesters said they had been facing problems due to unavailability of gas, especially in the morning when their children had to get ready for schools and colleges. They said instead of ensuring the smooth supply of the utility, the government had increased the gas rates, which was unjust.

They said condition of businesses was already pathetic and they were finding it difficult to make both ends meet. They said last year amount of the bill was Rs200 to Rs3000, however, this month the same amounts had surged to Rs25,000 to Rs35,000, respectively.

The demonstrators complained that the SNGPL officials did not pay heed to their complaints of inflated bills and they rather taunted them for voting for Imran Khan in the general election that had led to increase in utility rates. They appealed the Prime Minister Imran Khan to look into the issue and provide relief to the poor masses.

The PM has already ordered an inquiry into the issue of inflated gas bills.-Staff Correspondent