ISLAMABAD: Amidst acute winter gas shortages across Sindh and Balochistan, the Acting Chairman of the Senate Syedaal Khan met with the Managing Director (MD) of the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) to express serious concern over the ongoing crisis.
The Acting Chairman Senate, Syedaal Khan, met with the MD SSGCL, accompanied by the Senior General Manager, at the Parliament House on Thursday.
During the meeting, the Managing Director briefed the Acting Chairman in detail on the current gas demand, supply situation, and the challenges being faced across the country, with particular focus on the province of Balochistan.
Expressing serious concern, Acting Chairman Senate Syedaal Khan stated that during the winter season, people in various parts of the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, are facing acute problems of gas shortages and low pressure, which require urgent and effective resolution. He pointed out that in several areas of Balochistan, particularly Quetta and its surrounding localities, the situation becomes extremely alarming during severe cold spells. In some instances, extreme weather conditions have even led to incidents of gas pipeline bursts.
The Acting Chairman Senate emphasized that the present government is making all possible efforts to provide relief to the public. In this regard, prices of petroleum products have been reduced, and clear instructions have already been issued by the government to ensure an uninterrupted gas supply during the winter months. He stressed that it is the responsibility of the relevant institutions to implement these directives promptly and in earnest so that maximum relief can be extended to the people.
He further stated that the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, has issued clear instructions to ensure an uninterrupted gas supply to the public and to take practical and effective measures for this purpose. However, he regretted that the ground realities remain contrary to these directives, as people are either not receiving gas at all or, where available, the pressure is so low that they are unable to cook food or protect themselves from the harsh winter conditions.
Acting Chairman Senate, Syedaal Khan, directed the Managing Director of SSGCL to prepare and submit a comprehensive, practical, and effective plan regarding gas supply at the earliest. He also informed that he would personally visit Quetta later this month to assess the gas supply situation, the status of gas connections, and public complaints in the city and its adjoining areas, to identify the root causes of the issues on the ground.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Acting Chairman Senate stated that the government’s manifesto is centered on public development, prosperity, and welfare. As public representatives, listening to the problems of the people and taking practical steps for their sustainable resolution remains their foremost responsibility. He reaffirmed the resolve that the government will continue to take effective and practical measures to provide maximum relief to the public and ensure lasting solutions to their basic issues.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025