IN 1952, a reservoir of natural gas was discovered at Sui in Balochistan’s Dera Bugti district. The commercial production of gas commenced in 1955. Ironically, more than 60-70 per cent of the population of the district does not have a ‘Sui gas’ facility even after 65 years. There are another 29 districts of Balochistan that are deprived of this basic utility.

People in Sindh, hundreds of kilometres away from Sui, have access to natural gas supply, but the districts of Balochistan don’t have such a facility. Can’t we see the irony in it?

The Sui Southern Gas Company did not do much to ensure supply of gas to these districts. However, a 1/3-inch gas pipeline has been provided to Ziarat Residency where the Quaid-i-Azam spent his last days, but the watchman/security guards still use coal and wood to heat up their rooms in winter. Sanjavi tehsil of Ziarat district does not have the distribution lines either.

While the industries in Sindh are generating fair amount of revenue for the country and need natural gas, the Pakistanis living in Phalawagh, Kingri, Kohlu, Thal, Kunchati, Mani Khuwa, Qamardin, Phurr and many other rural areas of Balochistan also have the right — if not the first right — to benefit from this basic utility. They are the natives, after all.

The provincial government needs to take adequate measures in this regard and ensure smooth supply of Sui gas across Balochistan without further delay.

Babar Jaffar
Quetta

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2021