QUETTA: General Manager of the Sui Southern Gas Company for Balochistan Madani Siddiqui has claimed that theft, meter tampering and use of illegal compressors have caused low pressure and loadshedding of gas in Quetta and other districts of the province.

Speaking at the Quetta Chamber of Commerce and Industry here on Tuesday, he dispelled the perception that high-speed gas meters were installed in Quetta and other areas.

“I admit that gas is not being supplied to Nawan Killi. New pipelines are being laid at a cost of Rs3 billion to meet the gas needs of the growing population. Consumers take off their meters when no one is around,” he said.

Mr Siddiqui said the population of Quetta had increased manifold which also created problems of gas theft and meter tampering.

He said a 17km and 12-inch pipeline from Zarghoonabad to FC Hospital and other areas had been planned. Due to 60 per cent losses, Balochistan’s share in penalty was Rs12 billion while 55pc of the meters brought to the company were tampered with, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 24th, 2021