NOWSHERA: (Anwarzeb Khan) Residents of Nowshera in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province are facing severe gas shortages, forcing many households to revert to burning wood for daily cooking and heating, despite the province being a major producer of natural gas.

In neighborhoods and villages across Nowshera, cold stoves have become a common sight as gas supply disruptions continue. Many families, particularly women, are compelled to cook over wood fires and animal dung cakes, exposing them to health risks from smoke and increasing household burdens.

The shortage has sparked widespread frustration among residents, who argue that while the province contributes significantly to the country’s natural resources, local communities remain deprived of basic utilities. Citizens say the ongoing energy crisis has not only affected their finances but also their mental well-being.

Locals claim that the gas supply interruptions have pushed them into conditions resembling earlier eras, highlighting concerns over infrastructure management and resource distribution. Community members have urged authorities to address the issue urgently and ensure fair allocation of locally produced gas.

Officials have yet to provide a detailed timeline for restoring consistent supply, leaving thousands of households uncertain about how they will manage energy needs during the winter season.