QUETTA, PAKISTAN:
A vital artery for gas supply to Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan has been severely compromised today after an 18-inch diameter gas pipeline running from Shikarpur to Quetta was destroyed near the sensitive region of Mach. The incident has instantly triggered an energy crisis across several key cities in Northern Balochistan.
The immediate fallout of this destruction has been the complete suspension of gas supply to major urban centers, including Quetta, Mastung, Pishin, and Ziarat. Coming at the cusp of the colder season, this disruption poses a significant challenge for thousands of households relying on gas for cooking and heating, compounding the difficulties faced by residents in these high-altitude regions.
Officials from the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) have confirmed the situation, assuring the public that emergency repair work has commenced. However, acknowledging the scale of the damage, the company announced that until the pipeline is fully restored, Quetta will only receive gas supply during designated cooking hours to manage minimum essential domestic needs.
Initial investigations are underway to determine the cause of the disaster, focusing intently on whether the damage resulted from a technical fault or was an act of sabotage. The energy infrastructure in Balochistan has historically been vulnerable to attacks, raising serious security questions concerning the protection of these essential supply lines. Restoring this crucial infrastructure is not just a matter of energy provision, but also a key step towards maintaining public trust and stability in the region.
