QUETTA: Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) authorities came under attack on Tuesday as a large of Balochistan Assembly members took up the issue of uncalled-for gas loadshedding and low pressure in harsh winter season, particularly in central and northern parts of the province.

Majority of the legislators criticised the SSGC for gas loadshedding and low pressure during the cold season.

In the absence of the speaker of the house, member of the panel of chairman Aga Liaquat said that he would summon the SSGC officials to the assembly session to explain the unwarranted gas loadshedding and low pressure issue in cold weather.

Most members claimed that they passed resolution on such issues but neither the SSGC nor the federal government paid any heed to it.

A female MPA condemned the minister of education for keeping schools open till Jan 1, the coldest days of the season, and questioned as to how small children would attend the classes without proper heating systems.

Yet another member suggested making functional the Zhob-Boston railways track following the rehabilitation of the Sibi Harnai section.

Provincial Minister Izhar Hussain Khosa said that though the Uch Power Plant had earned billions of rupees in yearly profit, the authorities failed to fulfil their corporate responsibility in the area.

He alleged that Balochistan was being discriminated against as it was getting the lowest gas rates. He said the SSGC should be asked to spend 5 per cent of the revenue on local development by bringing about improvement in the lives of local residents.

MPA Mufti Gulab of the JUI said that an agreement with a Chinese company on Saindak project was illegal and unconstitutional following the 18th Amendment.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2017