Pakistan: Protests Erupt In Quetta Over Prolonged Gas Shortage Amid Severe Cold | World News

Protests were held in Pakistan’s Quetta city due to prolonged gas outages in severe cold weather, residents blocking roads due to low pressure, burning tires and supply disruptions, local media reported on Sunday.

While there is a natural gas outage in many regions due to the severe cold, citizens trying to keep their homes warm are experiencing serious difficulties. The cargo shedding in Quetta and surrounding areas was implemented by Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) from midnight to 5 am, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reported.

Residents of Kalat, Mastung, Ziarat, Pishin and some other areas are also facing similar gas shortage due to the ongoing cold weather. However, residents in and around many areas of Quetta said that they were not able to get gas properly even outside these hours. Many areas in the main city center are also facing low pressure or interruption in gas supply from SSGS as temperatures reach minus five degrees.

Residents of gas-strapped Sariab district staged a protest against low gas pressure and prolonged disruption of supply. Protesters burned tires, set up barricades and blocked the road, stopping traffic flow.

Protesters said they repeatedly notified SSGC officials about low-pressure degassing; but no action was taken regarding their complaints. In response, residents burned tires to block the main road and demanded immediate restoration of gas supply.

In December last year, people in Hyderabad, Pakistan, complained that gas supplies were stopped during daylight hours for three consecutive days. According to Pakistani newspaper The Express Tribune, residents in many areas reported prolonged gas outages and extremely low gas pressure during scheduled supply hours; This caused residents and businesses to face problems.

Hyderabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industries had called for immediate improvement of gas supply, improvement of gas infrastructure and implementation of a transparent load management policy and prior notification in this regard.