Protest held as gas crisis looms over Quetta

QUETTA:

People belonging to Balochistan political parties, as well as sitting assembly members and leaders of trade associations condemned the unannounced gas load shedding and its reduced pressure throughout the province during a protest outside Sui Southern Gas Company's provincial headquarters.

“Gas companies are charging thousands of rupees in monthly bills despite the fact that there is no gas available,” they said, alleging that Balochistan's gas is being provided to other provinces.

They added that the government is not providing any relief to the people in relation to the prevailing gas issue. “Our next course of action will be more stringent.”

These views were expressed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Malik Sikandar Khan Advocate, National Party Parliamentary Leader Malik Naseer Ahmad Shahwani, Anjuman-e-Tajiran Nawan Killi’s Abdul Wahab Khilji, Qari Juma Khan, Abdullah Sulemankhel, Abdul Aziz Kakar, Zakir Khan Yousafzai, Baz Pashtun and others.

The opposition leader in the Balochistan Assembly highlighted just how the largest province of the country produces the most gas but still its residents remain deprived of this blessing. “Disappearance of gas in the provincial capital has become a daily occurrence. If the basic problems of the people cannot be solved then the rulers have no right to rule.”

Advocate Sikandar added that the people of the city are suffering from diseases due to the cold weather as Quetta is one of the coldest areas of the country.

"The silence of the government is beyond comprehension. The ruling party that came to power by voting cannot even provide basic necessities such as gas to the people,” the opposition leader said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 4^th, 2020.