Acting Chairman of the Senate Syedaal Khan on Thursday voiced grave concern over the severe gas shortages plaguing the public, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and has directed the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) to present a comprehensive strategy to resolve the escalating winter crisis.
The directive came during a highlevel meeting at the Parliament House where the Managing Director and Senior General Manager of SSGCL briefed the Acting Chairman on the country’s gas demand and supply challenges.
Mr. Khan highlighted that conditions become particularly dire in parts of Balochistan, such as Quetta and its adjacent areas, during intense cold spells. He noted that the extreme weather has even caused gas pipeline ruptures, compounding the difficulties faced by residents.
The Acting Chairman underscored the government’s efforts to ease public burden, citing recent reductions in petroleum product prices and explicit instructions for an uninterrupted gas supply throughout the winter. He stressed the duty of relevant institutions to implement these directives sincerely and without delay.
Referring to instructions from Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif for ensuring consistent gas availability, Mr. Khan expressed disappointment that the ground reality is starkly different. He lamented that in many regions, gas is either completely unavailable or the pressure is too low for domestic use, leaving families unable to cook or heat their homes against the harsh weather.
In response, the Acting Chairman has ordered the SSGCL’s Managing Director to submit a practical and effective gas distribution plan promptly. He also announced his intention to personally visit Quetta later this month to evaluate the supply situation, check the status of new connections, and listen directly to public grievances to identify the root causes of the problem.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the populace, Mr. Khan stated that public relief and prosperity are central to its agenda. He emphasized that addressing citizens’ complaints and finding lasting solutions to fundamental problems is the primary obligation of elected officials.