Seventeen pupils lost their lives after a gas cylinder explosion in their bus in Pakistan the other day. Recently, a gas cylinder of another bus exploded in Karachi, killing several people.

Because of the steep increase in diesel prices, people in Pakistan are increasingly using CNG as an alternative fuel to run vehicles. But most cylinders are not fit for vehicle use. As they are highly combustible, it is extremely dangerous to use them.

According to government safety regulations, people must check the condition of cylinders periodically but few follow the instructions. A second-hand CNG cylidner costs Rs15,000 in Pakistan and they are easily available in market.

Only days ago, Egypt’s transport minister resigned after the death of several schoolchildren when a train crushed their bus but unfortunately in Pakistan, the accountability culture doesn’t exist.



Khawaja Umer Farooq, ofarooq@emailsrvc.com