QUETTA: Members of the Balochistan Assembly from the government as well as opposition benches, along with their supporters, staged a sit-in on Tuesday against low pressure and unannounced loadshedding of natural gas throughout their province and demanded immediate restoration of supply.

The MPAs led by leader of the opposition in the assembly, Malik Sikandar Khan, marched on the main road leading to the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) offices and staged a sit-in amid freezing temperatures.

Participants of the sit-in carried placards and banners inscribed with their demands and they chanted slogans against the SSGC.

Mr Khan along with his fellow MPAs criticised the utility for not resolving the gas pressure issue as it had only worsened with time, showing the negligence of the authorities concerned.

They said they represented the people of Balochistan and were raising an issue which the people faced every year but no decisive steps had been taken to resolve it.

Speakers expressed frustration as the SSGC officials were unable to fulfil their promise of resolving the gas pressure issue till Jan 20.

They warned the SSGC that if their demands were not fulfilled then they would expand their protest throughout the province.

The protesters reminded the SSGC that the people of Balochistan had the first right over the resources present in the province.

The officials said the demand for gas had increased significantly due to the cold weather after record snowfall. However, they pledged that the gas pressure issue would be resolved within two to three days.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2020