Unannounced natural gas load shedding; CNG filling stations closed for second day in Peshawar
An employee checks empty LPG cylinders inside the Vidyarthi Bhavan restaurant, as restaurants and hotels across southern India, including IT hub Bangalore, warned of closures due to disruptions in commercial LPG supplies, following the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Bangalore, India, March 10, 2026. Photo: Reuters
PESHAWAR:
Severe hardship has hit students, parents and daily commuters in Peshawar and across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa after the closure of CNG stations due to acute shortage of natural gas.
Most school van and bus operators have decided to suspend their services due to the unavailability of CNG, while public transport that has switched to petrol has sharply increased their fares, thereby increasing the financial burden on citizens.
CNG filling stations remained closed on Sunday for the second consecutive day in the provincial capital and other parts of the province. In several regions, unexpected natural gas outages have further aggravated the problems of domestic and commercial consumers.
The closure of CNG stations has forced many vehicles to stop operating or run on more expensive gasoline, leading to further hikes in transportation rates. School transporters are among the most affected. Owners of Suzuki vans and buses say running on gasoline is beyond their financial capabilities, leaving them with no choice but to park their fleet.
Parents have expressed deep concern over the disruption to school transport, fearing it will affect their children’s education and daily routine.
Public transport operators also face serious challenges. Those who have started using petrol instead of CNG have already increased their rates. They warned that if CNG stations do not reopen soon, they will be forced to suspend services completely, which could virtually paralyze public traffic in the city.
The prolonged gas crisis has once again highlighted the province’s fragile energy situation, leaving thousands of citizens struggling with mobility and household needs. Residents have appealed to the authorities concerned to urgently resolve the issue and ensure uninterrupted supply of CNG and natural gas.
