Manan Mandokhail:
Protesters blocked the main Quetta airport road against continued gas load shedding in Nawan Killi and other parts of the city. People faced difficulties as a result of the blockade of the road by angry protesters. “No gas supply despite chilly weather”, Inayat Kakar, one of the leaders of the protesters lamented.
The protesters chanted full-throated slogans against the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) for its failure to provide a gas supply in dry cold weather in the provincial capital. “This is an injustice SSGC should make sure provision of gas supply”, Mr. Kakar said.
Main #Quetta airport road blocked against #Gas #Loadshedding…residents of #NawanKilli complain no #gas supply despite ChillyWeather @SSGC_Official pic.twitter.com/ce4yFNfQFR
— Quetta Voice (@VoiceQuetta) November 17, 2022
Hundreds of protesters staged a sit-in
Hundreds of protesters staged a sit-in at the main airport road to vent their anger against the SSGC and the Balochistan government. “This is totally unacceptable where we can go in this cold weather”, Wali Afghan, another leader of the protesters stated.
People used alternative routes to reach their destinations. Especially, women, children and aged people remained the worst sufferers of the blockade of the road. Students also used alternative routes to rea h their destinations.
Long queues of vehicles were witnessed
Long queues of vehicles were also witnessed because of the blockade of the road linking Quetta with various parts of the province and country. “I have been waiting for the last two hours to reach my destination”, Attaullah, a taxi driver lamented.
Finally, the SSGC officials reached the spot and held successful negotiations with the protesters. Subsequently, the protesters reopened the road for traffic. They however threatened to resume their protest if the company failed to make sure provision of uninterrupted gas supply to the Nawan Killi and other areas of the provincial capital.
As the winter sets in, Quetta and most of the province have been facing low and no gas supply. This has further compounded the problems of the masses in this cold dry weather.
