QUETTA: A severe winter gas crisis has brought daily life to a standstill in Quetta, sparking widespread public anger and protests across the city. With the complete disappearance of gas supply in most areas, residents are being deprived of basic necessities like cooking food, heating their homes, and accessing hot water during the freezing temperatures.
The crisis has triggered demonstrations in numerous neighborhoods, including Killi Durrani, Shaldara, Sariab Road, Jinnah Town, and Hazara Town. Frustrated citizens are decrying the annual recurrence of the problem, accusing the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) of hiding behind the same excuses of “low pressure” every winter while continuing to charge them with expensive bills for a non-existent service.
The human cost of the shortage is stark, with the most vulnerable, including the elderly and children, left to endure the cold without any means to warm their homes. The palpable public frustration is directed at the perceived inaction of the government and relevant institutions, who are being labeled as “silent spectators” to the suffering.
Amid growing unrest, public and political circles have issued a stern demand for immediate intervention. They are calling upon the Prime Minister, the Governor, and the Chief Minister of Balochistan to take urgent notice of the escalating situation and restore gas supplies. A clear warning has been sounded that if the government fails to act promptly, the current wave of protests will expand in scope, potentially spreading across the entire province. The situation underscores a critical failure in civic infrastructure and threatens to boil over into a major political issue if left unresolved.
Meanwhile in a separated development the Pakistan Railways has announced the suspension of the key Jaffar Express train service for a period of four days. The decision, effective from November 9 to 12, impacts travel between Quetta and Peshawar and is attributed to critical repair work on a bridge recently damaged by an explosion, coupled with prevailing security concerns.
The suspension affects the train’s service in both directions. The Jaffar Express, which normally connects the provincial capitals of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, will not operate from Quetta to Peshawar or from Peshawar to Quetta during this window. Railway officials confirmed that the primary reason for the halt is to facilitate urgent and extensive repairs on the damaged bridge, ensuring the structure is completely safe for train operations before services resume.
