QUETTA: Treasury and opposition members of the Balochistan Assembly through a joint resolution adopted by the house demanded the federal government exempt domestic consumers from the sale price formula of gas for winter and fix a limit for winter bills.

The joint resolution was moved by Akbar Mengal of BNP-Mengal on Thursday.

Mr Mengal and other lawmakers said the SSGC was supplying gas to limited areas of only eight districts. They said some people had even received Rs70,000 to Rs80,000 gas bills a month.

The lawmakers said the SSGC changed gas meters without informing the people. They demanded that the Balochistan government take up the issue with the Centre and a fixed billing formula be adopted for Balochistan’s gas consumers for winter.

The resolution termed sending heavy gas bills a great injustice with Balochistan.

Sanaullah Baloch demanded formation of a committee of the house to look into issues of Gadani shipbreaking industry. He said 124 ships were anchored at the Gadani shipyard for dismantling yet Balochistan earned meagre revenue from the industry.

Adviser to the Chief Minister Abdul Khaliq Hazara said that opposition demand for committee on every issue could not be met.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2019