Protest against low-gas pressure escalates in Balochistan

PAC chairman warns of setting up strike camp if issue is not resolved timely

QUETTA: Citizens on Monday took to the streets against the issue of low-gas pressure in the provincial capital and blocked three arteries – Spinny, Sirki, and Fatima Jinnah – throwing traffic out of gear and leading to gridlocks.

Residents of the three areas chanted slogans against the gas authority for not ensuring the transmission of the service in the city, which just like other parts of the province has been facing an unusual cold weather in recent weeks.

At Spinny Road, Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s senior leader Akhtar Hussain Langove also joined the protest in order to show solidarity with the demonstrators, which included women and children. The protesters torched tyres and blocked traffic.

Irked citizens alleged that the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has sent inflated bills to domestic consumers despite low-gas pressure.

Langove who is also the Public Accounts Committee chairman slammed SSGC for not ensuring the transmission of the service. Despite numerous meetings with the SSGC officials, the company didn’t come up with any solution regarding the issue, he added.

“Despite having our own natural gas resource, we have been looking to others that have lifted the lid from federal government’s tall claims of healing Balochistan’s wounds,” said Langove. The BNP-M leader called such response of the federal government and gas authority as “oppression with the people of Balochistan”.

He warned of setting up a strike-camp outside Governor and Chief Minister House if authorities concerned didn’t address the issue of low-gas pressure timely.

Similarly, residents of Sirki and Fatima Jinnah roads also protested against the growing gas crisis. They complained that such crisis has paralysed life.

Last week, heavy snowfall was recorded in Ziarat, while Quetta and Zhob each received more than a foot of snow.  Turbat, Pasni and Pishin respectively received 56 millimeters, 40mm and 26mm of rain.

As many as 20 people were killed and 23 injured in the province due to extreme weather conditions. The problems of people in snow and rain affected areas intensified due to low gas pressure and unannounced load shedding.

On Sunday, provincial ministers and lawmakers held a meeting with officials of the gas and power companies to discuss the matter.

Expressing his department’s helplessness, 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.

“As many as 20 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.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, January 21^st, 2020.