Gas outage triggers protest in Quetta

QUETTA:

Protest demonstrations are underway in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan against unannounced gas load-shedding.

On Monday afternoon, people belonging to various parts of the city staged a protest demonstration outside the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) office in Quetta. The protesters burnt tires and blocked the main Samungli road to vent their anger.

"No gas supply in this chilly weather", Muhammad Akram, a resident of the Killi Deba area of the city lamented. He said women and children were suffering from diseases because of the dry cold weather in the area.

The protesters chanted full-throated slogans against the SSGC administration and demanded of the company to make sure of the provision of an uninterrupted gas supply. "We will intensify our protest against the gas company", Mr Akram warned.

People suffered difficulties because of the blockade of the road by the protesters. They were gathered outside the SSGC's office. However, no official held negotiations with protesters. Long queues of vehicles on both sides of the road were witnessed as a result of the blockade of the road.

Quetta, Kalat, Ziarat, Mastung, Pishin, and other parts of Balochistan are under the grip of severe cold weather. The residents of these areas have been suffering unannounced and prolonged hours of load shedding. Dry cold weather has further compounded the problems of consumers.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 6^th, 2022.