Quetta lawmakers stage sit-in outside gas utility office

Register protest against low-gas pressure in chilly weather

QUETTA: The Balochistan Assembly lawmakers from Quetta staged a sit-in on Tuesday outside the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) office to protest against low gas pressure in the provincial capital during the recent spell of cold weather.

These Quetta lawmakers – six in number – raised slogans against the low gas pressure and blamed the SSGC for the situation that has greatly inconvenienced people in the chilly weather.

Addressing the participants, Leader of Opposition in the Balochistan Assembly Malik Sikandar said the lawmakers are representing the 2.2 million people of Quetta.

“If the people of Quetta are not getting gas, we do not need gas office in Quetta.

“The people of Quetta are forced to lodge a protest. If their demands are not met, they will expand the scope of their protest,” he said.

MPA Mubeen Khan Khilji said despite repeated assurances the gas pressure is not restored. "People of my constituency ask why the gas pressure is not being restored.

Ahmad Nawaz Baloch – a member of the BNP – said: "We want gas pressure to be restored across the city immediately".

Qadir Nayal said the protest was lodged to get basic rights of the people.

Speaking on the occasion, Member of Parliament Akhtar Hussain Langove said people of the province have the first right over the provincial resources.  The SSGC officials have forced the public representatives to take to the streets, he added.

After several hours of sit-in, talks were held and gas officials gave assurances to the lawmakers of resolving the issue within couple of days. Later, the MPAs ended their protest.

The SSGC officials said the demand for gas has increased due to severe cold after record snowfall. However, they assured that the gas pressure issue would be resolved within two to three days.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2020.