QUETTA: A brutal cold wave gripping Quetta has triggered a catastrophic gas shortage, bringing daily life to a standstill for residents across the capital of Balochistan. As temperatures plummet over recent days, natural gas pressure has dropped to near-zero levels in multiple neighborhoods during crucial morning and evening hours.
The crisis has left households unable to perform basic tasks. “The water in the geyser does not heat up at all, the stove does not even burn,” lamented one citizen, echoing the frustration of many. Areas including Sariab Road, Satellite Town, Hazara Town, Jinnah Town, and Pashtunabad are among the worst affected. Families are struggling to cook food, heat water, and warm their homes, forced to rely on a precarious mix of LPG cylinders, firewood, and coal.
This surge in demand for alternatives has sparked a secondary economic crisis. The price of LPG cylinders has surged suddenly, while the cost of firewood in local markets has reportedly doubled, placing an unbearable burden on low-income communities already battling the cold.
Facing what they describe as a complete paralysis of life despite the presence of gas reserves, citizens are demanding immediate government intervention. There is growing anger and a warning of vigorous public protests if urgent steps are not taken to restore gas pressure and provide relief to the suffering populace. The situation underscores a critical infrastructure failure amid harsh winter conditions.
Meanwhile in a high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner Quetta Division Shazib Khan Kakar, a comprehensive strategy was formulated to address the severe gas pressure issues and load-shedding plaguing the city and its surrounding areas.
The meeting, attended by Deputy Commissioner Quetta, senior gas company officials, and other stakeholders, focused on mitigating the hardships faced by citizens, especially domestic consumers, during the winter season. Commissioner Kakar issued a series of directives aimed at ensuring a more equitable and reliable gas supply.
