Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA: Flash floods unleashed by heavy rainfall paralyzed life in Balochistan, Pakistan’s least developed province. Most parts of the province remained disconnected from the rest of the country for the seventh consecutive day as floods swept away bridges and roads.
Quetta, the provincial capital remained without power and gas supplies for the last seven days. Similarly, the suspension of internet and cellular services has compounded the problems of the people. “The damage is beyond our comprehension”, Chief Minister Balochistan, Mir Quddus Bizenjo said.
The flood-affected people blocked the Quetta-Karachi highway at Johan Mangochar against what they claimed unjust distribution of relief goods in the area. The workers of the Jamiat ul Ulema e Islam (F) blocked the main highway to mount pressure on the government to make sure judicious distribution of relief goods. “We will not allow the officials to swallow the relief goods and provide them to their blue-eyed”, Maulana Shabir Ahmed, a local cleric who was part the protest said.
Long queues of vehicles were witnessed on both sides of the highway because of the road blockade. Subsequently, the district administration held successful negotiations and reopened the highway for traffic. Seven days on, the authorities are yet to restore gas and power supplies to Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan.
The situation is worst when it comes to far-flung areas of the province when it comes to the availability of gas and power supplies. Flash floods unleashed by heavy rainfall wreaked havoc across Balochistan.
“Very soon, gas supply would be restored to Quetta”, a well-placed Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) official said, giving no exact time for the repair. Similarly, the Spokesman of Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) stated that the power supply can be restored within the next three days to Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. Floods have damaged the 220 kV transmission line in the Bolan area of Balochistan.
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