Sub-headline:
Spokesperson terms 15-hour load-shedding “unacceptable,” urges High Court to take Suo motu notice
QUETTA (ANN): The spokesperson for the Central Traders Organization Balochistan, Kashif Haideri, has strongly rejected the newly announced gas supply schedule, terming it “ridiculous” and unacceptable for both traders and the general public.
Speaking to various delegations from different localities at his office in Hazara Town on Friday, Haideri criticized the sudden increase in gas load-shedding duration from six hours to more than 15 hours, saying the move has added to the hardships of citizens already struggling with rising utility costs.
He said that inflated electricity and gas bills have become unbearable for ordinary households, while basic facilities remain largely unavailable. “A middle-class family is being issued bills ranging from thousands to even lakhs of rupees, yet when it comes to service delivery, the authorities remain indifferent,” he added.
Haideri alleged that the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has consistently pursued anti-public policies, noting that prolonged outages and low gas pressure have become routine across Quetta and other parts of the province.
He further said that despite widespread protests during the winter season over gas shortages, the company failed to address public concerns. “Now, through a formal notification, excessive load-shedding exceeding 15 hours has been given legal cover, further aggravating the situation,” he remarked.
The traders’ representative warned that such policies could force people to take to the streets if immediate corrective measures are not taken. He called on the Balochistan High Court and relevant authorities to take Suo motu notice of the issue and ensure uninterrupted gas supply to the public.
Representatives of the Transporters Association, including Jan Muhammad Hazara, Izzatullah Kazmi, and Nasir Haideri, were also present on the occasion and expressed similar concerns.
