Disrupted supply: Balochistan without gas, power for second straight day

Power and natural gas supply remained disrupted for second day after militants blew up gas pipelines.


Shezad Baloch February 10, 2011

QUETTA: Power and natural gas supply to major parts of Balochistan remained disrupted for the second consecutive day on Wednesday.

Unidentified militants had blown up two high pressure gas pipelines near Dera Murad Jamali, depriving nine districts, including provincial capital Quetta, of natural gas.

Gas supply to all industrial, commercial customers and CNG stations was suspended. Domestic customers are, however, being provided reduced supplies through the available line pack.

“Repair work on one pipeline has been completed while work on the other is underway,” Inayatullah Ismail, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) spokesman told The Express Tribune.

According to SSGC, four main gas pipelines have recently been blown up by saboteurs in Sohbatpur and Naseerabad division. “SSGC suffered losses worth more than Rs100 million because of subversive activities in Balochistan,” an official said.

On the other hand, power supply to 14 districts of the province could not be restored after 72 hours. In Nal area of Khuzdar district, women staged a protest demanding restoration of power supply. Power disruption caused a shortage of water, severely affecting routine life.

Three power pylons of 220 KV, 132 KV double-circuit and 120 KV were blown up in the Ab-e-Gum area of Mach Town, about 90 kilometres southeast of Quetta, resulting in a major power shortfall in the province,” a Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) spokesman said.

Banned outfits the Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for blowing up the gas pipelines and power pylons.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 10th, 2011.

COMMENTS (1)

Khalid Khan | 13 years ago | Reply People instead of taking out processions against Sui Southern Gas Company and Quetta Electric Supply Company should condemn Baloch Republican Army (BRA) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) which claimed responsibility for blowing up the gas pipelines and power pylons. By the way the head of BRA is enjoying hospitality of Switzerland and BLA resides in UK. All these terrorists involved in destruction of life and property have been housed by Europe. Why isn't this issue raised with UK and Switzerland
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