Syed Ali Shah:
Quetta and other parts of Balochistan have been gripped by freezing temperatures for the past few days, severely impacting daily life. The situation is particularly dire for poor and marginalized communities, who are struggling to cope with the harsh winter conditions. Prolonged and unannounced gas and electricity load-shedding have further compounded the challenges faced by citizens.
Protests And Blockades Against Gas Load Shedding
Protests and road blockades have become a common sight in Quetta as residents express their frustration with the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC). Demonstrators on Education Road and other areas have called for uninterrupted gas supply, especially in the winter zones of the province.
Mohammad Khan, a resident of Satellite Town, shared his frustration: “We are forced to rely on firewood because there’s no gas to heat our homes. The government and SSGC have completely ignored our plight.”
Similarly, Mohammad Aslam from the Brewery Road area said, “The dry, cold air has made life unbearable. Without gas, cooking and heating have become impossible. Our repeated appeals to the authorities have fallen on deaf ears.”
Criminal Silence By The SSGC
Abdullah, a shopkeeper in the Zarghoon Road area, added, “The SSGC’s silence is criminal. They continue to send us inflated bills but fail to provide the basic utility we desperately need.”
Despite multiple attempts to contact the SSGC for comments, no response has been received. Officials at the company’s Karachi headquarters have reportedly declined to address the media’s queries, leaving residents in limbo.
Citizens have urged the SSGC to ensure uninterrupted gas supply and address their grievances before the situation worsens. The lack of action during these freezing temperatures has left many wondering if their voices will ever be heard.
