Residents of Karachi have begun storing gas in plastic balloons as prolonged load-shedding and low pressure continue to disrupt daily life, ARY News reports. The practice has emerged particularly in Orangi Town, including Mominabad, where inconsistent supply has left households with few alternatives.
Specially designed balloons, sold locally for around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500, are filled during brief periods when gas becomes available. Once filled, they are disconnected and used later for cooking, serving as an improvised storage solution throughout the day.
Many residents describe this as a last resort amid an escalating crisis that has made routine household tasks increasingly difficult. However, safety experts have warned that the method is extremely dangerous, likening the balloons to “mobile bombs” due to the risk of explosion from heat, friction, or sparks.