Balochistan's gas, power woes grow worse

MPs take up matter with SSGC, Qesco officials

QUETTA: With the gas shortage and electricity suspension crises in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan growing worse with each passing day in the harsh winter, provincial ministers and lawmakers held a meeting with officials of the gas and power companies to discuss the matter.

Expressing his department’s helplessness, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) General Manager Madni Siddiqui told the participants of the meeting that the whole country is suffering from gas shortage and diversion of gas to industries has reduced supply to domestic consumers.

“The problem of gas shortfall will be addressed on a priority level,” Siddqui said. “We have been carrying out action against the use of illegal compressors and gas theft.”

The SSGC official assured the lawmakers that steps would be taken to maintain gas pressures in all areas.

Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) XEN Shoukat Jogezai said the power company needed more feeders in Quetta because of the city’s burgeoning population.

“The existing transformers can’t bear the additional load,” he added.

“We only have one workshop for repairing transformers. It can only accommodate eight transformers at a time,” he explained.

“Twenty new feeders are being installed in Quetta while 10 others will be set up within the next two or three months.”

The Qesco official also sought the public representatives’ support to curb electricity theft.

He told the participants of the meeting that heavy snowfall and rains had damaged the power supply infrastructure. “Qesco teams are working to repair the damaged power supply lines and transformers.”

The meeting was held at the Quetta deputy commissioner’s office.

Public Accounts Committee Chairman Akhtar Hussain Langove, Opposition Leader Malik Sikandar Advoate, Adviser to the CM Abdul Khalia Hazara, Naeem Bazai, MPAs Liaquat Shahwani, Qadir Nail and Ahmed Nawaz Baloch, Quetta DIG Abdul Razzaq Cheema and Quetta Deputy Commissioner Aurangzeb Badini were among those present at the meeting.

Governor concerned

Balochistan Governor Amanullah Yasinzai has expressed his concerns over low gas pressure and power outages in different parts of the province.

Speaking to the SSGC general manager at the Governor’s House, Yasinzai said the recent spell of cold weather is causing problems for domestic consumers and all out efforts must be made to supply gas to the public.

He directed the SSGC official to take stern action against those using illegal compressors and stealing gas.