Gas shortage shuts CNG stations, disrupts transport and school commute in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: An acute shortage of natural gas has created serious difficulties for students, parents and daily commuters in Peshawar and other parts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, after CNG stations remained closed and transport services were disrupted.

CNG filling stations stayed shut for a second straight day on Sunday in the provincial capital as well as other areas of the province. The closure has affected both public and private transport, with many vehicles either going off the road or shifting to petrol, which has increased operating costs.

School transport has been among the hardest hit by the situation. Operators of school vans and buses have suspended services because CNG is unavailable, while several owners of Suzuki vans and buses said they cannot afford to run their vehicles on petrol. As a result, many have parked their fleets.

The disruption has caused concern among parents, who fear that the transport breakdown will affect their children’s education and daily routine. With school commute interrupted, families are facing added pressure at a time when transport options have already become limited.

Public transport operators are also struggling with the fallout from the gas shortage. Those who have switched from CNG to petrol have already raised fares, passing on the higher fuel cost to passengers. This has added to the financial burden on citizens who rely on daily transport for work, education and other routine travel.

Transporters warned that if CNG stations are not reopened soon, they may be forced to halt services altogether. They said such a development could severely affect movement in the city and bring public commuting close to a standstill.

In addition to the closure of CNG stations, unannounced natural gas load-shedding in several areas has worsened the situation for domestic and commercial consumers. The broader gas crisis has therefore affected not only mobility but also household and business needs across the province.

The latest disruption has once again underscored the fragile energy situation in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, where thousands of residents are now dealing with transport problems alongside difficulties linked to gas supply at home and in commercial activity.

Residents have appealed to the authorities concerned to address the issue urgently and ensure an uninterrupted supply of CNG and natural gas.