QUETTA: Expressing their concern over the massive destruction caused by floods in 32 districts of the province, Balochistan Assembly members on Thursday said rehabilitation work was not possible without the help of federal government and NGOs.

The members, in a session presided by Deputy Speaker Sardar Babar Khan Musakhail, suggested formation of a parliamentary committee to meet the federal government and seek relief goods and funds for rehabilitation work.

Balochistan has suffered a loss of more than Rs300 billion as the floods have displaced hundreds of thousands of people who have no other option but to live in tents and makeshift houses, the members said.

MPAs concerned over electricity, gas supply disruption

Parliamentary leader of Balochistan National Party (Mengal) Naseer Ahmed Shahwani said landowners were facing heavy financial losses due to the import of duty-free tomatoes, onions and other vegetables from Iran and Afghanistan.

Insisting that locally produced onions, tomatoes and apples were sufficiently available in the market to meet three to four months’ demand, he urged the federal government to revisit the decision to allow the private sector to import vegetables and fruits from neighbouring countries.

Mr Shahwani also raised the issue of suspension of power supply in flood-hit areas, noting that the supply could not be restored in many districts despite the passage of two months. He said that instead of writing off electricity bills, the Quetta Electric Supply Com­pany was disconnecting connections of the consumers who couldn’t pay the bills. The suspension of power supply would affect wheat sowing in Balochistan, he said.

The legislators also raised the issue of low gas pressure in many areas, including provincial capital Quetta, saying that the situation has worsened even before the start of winter season.

Published in Dawn, September 23rd, 2022