QUETTA:
A severe fuel and power shortage has intensified across Balochistan, leaving thousands of households struggling amidst freezing winter conditions. The crisis stems from multiple pipeline explosions and damaged transmission lines.
Key Highlights:
- Gas supply disrupted:
Explosions destroyed sections of major 8‑ and 16‑inch pipelines near Pir Koh, severing gas distribution to nearly 200,000 consumers in the region. - Power lines down:
Four high-tension pylons on critical transmission routes remain out of service, cutting electricity to Quetta and fourteen other districts. Repairs are expected to take at least two more days. - Security deployed:
Frontier Corps, Balochistan Constabulary, and Levies personnel have been deployed to safeguard repair crews and infrastructure. - Public hardship grows:
With temperatures plummeting and no gas access, households are resorting to expensive firewood and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Local traders have sharply hiked prices. - Blame game erupts:
The Baloch Republican Army has claimed responsibility for the sabotage, citing continued struggle against federal neglect.
Efforts & Outlook:
- Repair work underway:
Sui Southern Gas Company engineers are en route with heavy machinery; security clearance has been granted, and work could begin within days. - Authorities promise relief:
Officials in Quetta Electricity Supply Company anticipate lighting returns by early next week, contingent on favourable weather and uninterrupted progress. - Community response:
Many households in remote and tribal areas have resorted to charcoal stoves and LPG canisters. Field reports indicate significant price gouging, adding financial strain.
Why It Matters:
Balochistan is already grappling with chronic underdevelopment—limited access to basic amenities and under‑utilised natural resources have fuelled long‑standing socio‑economic grievances. The current fuel crisis only deepens public frustration.
Bottom Line:
Cold winter, shattered pipelines, halted power lines—and a community caught in the middle. While repair efforts gear up, families in Balochistan brace for a few more days of harsh winters with dwindling heat and skyrocketing fuel prices.