Residents in parts of Karachi have begun using an improvised and highly dangerous method to cope with prolonged gas shortages—storing cooking gas in plastic balloons during short supply windows. The practice, reported from areas such as Orangi Town and Mominabad, reflects the severity of ongoing gas load-shedding and low pressure that has disrupted basic household activities like cooking.
According to local accounts, these balloons—sold in markets for modest prices—are filled when gas briefly becomes available and then used throughout the day as a substitute storage system. For many families, this has become a last-resort solution amid unreliable supply, allowing them to manage daily needs despite erratic distribution.
However, safety experts have raised serious concerns, warning that such storage methods pose extreme risks. Gas-filled balloons are highly volatile and can ignite from minimal triggers such as heat, friction, or a small spark. In densely populated residential areas, this significantly increases the likelihood of fires or explosions, putting entire communities at risk. Analysts have described these improvised setups as potentially catastrophic, particularly when kept inside homes without any safety controls.
The situation has prompted calls for urgent intervention by authorities and gas utility providers to stabilise supply and prevent the spread of hazardous practices. Experts emphasise that without immediate corrective measures, the combination of energy shortages and unsafe coping mechanisms could lead to serious accidents.
The crisis is unfolding against a broader backdrop of energy supply disruptions, influenced in part by global geopolitical tensions affecting fuel availability and transit routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. These pressures have compounded local infrastructure challenges, intensifying the impact on urban populations dependent on a consistent gas supply.
