OWING to the blanket ban on the insta-llation of gas meters to new houses by the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC), thousands of people remain deprived of natural gas in the city. This is an unjust and unscrupulous measure, and speaks volumes of SSGC’s apathy and indifference towards the hapless people of Quetta who have to brave and endure freezing temperatures without gas-supported heating arrangements.

There are many who had applied for gas connections more than two years ago, but the SSGC is adamant not to review its callous policy that has left many in Quetta to survive without natural gas. This is no doubt a grave violation of people’s fund-amental rights. When people are denied gas connections during winters, they ultimately resort to illegal ways, such as gas theft, as no option is left for them, and they are forced to adopt unfair ways.

The SSGC administration would do well to revisit its decision and restore gas connections in Quetta without any delay. Uninterrupted gas supply to every hou-sehold during the rather intense winters is a basic necessity. If the government is serious about curbing gas theft, it should ensure the right of the people to have legal access to natural gas. Otherwise, for their survival from freezing cold, people would adopt every fair and unfair means.

Asma Qasim
Quetta

Published in Dawn, February 7th, 2025