Residents of the Lyari area of Karachi on Monday staged a protest against what they claimed long hours of gas load shedding as the scarcity of fuel forced them to burn wood to cook meals.

Residents of Mandra Para, Rahiman Soomra and Baloch Mohallo placed gas cylinders and gas stoves on the road to protest against the gas shortage. Protesters also included women and children.

The smoke arising out of burning wood has resulted in sickening the children while the infrastructure of the houses has also been affected as residents use wood fire for cooking.

A female resident said that she is forced to go to Bihar Colony to cook a meal. This situation has been going on for two years now, where the gas utility was collecting bills from these areas but did not supply gas, she added.

Protesters demanded the relevant authorities take “immediate notice” of the situation and assure the regular supply of gas to the areas.