As winter grips Balochistan, residents of the provincial capital Quetta are facing severe gas shortages, forcing many households to rely on firewood for cooking and heating.
The crisis began after an 18-inch gas pipeline near Machh in Kachhi district ruptured on Saturday, cutting off gas supply not only to Quetta but also to surrounding districts including Ziarat, Pishin, Mastung, and Qalat. Authorities from Sui Gas confirmed that repair work has already begun, and gas supply is expected to resume fully by Monday evening. Meanwhile, Quetta will receive limited gas during cooking hours until the repairs are completed.
It remains unclear whether the rupture was caused by sabotage or a leakage; investigations are underway to determine the cause.
Residents in areas such as Saryab, Kambarani Road, Mashriqi Bypass, Pashtunabad, and Nawan Kali reported partial or complete gas outages. Many expressed concern over the impact on vulnerable groups, saying children and older age residents are falling ill due to the cold. The high cost of LPG and firewood has further strained household budgets.
Security Concerns
Balochistan has witnessed repeated attacks on gas infrastructure in recent years. Banned groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Baloch Liberation Front (BLF) have long targeted public-interest projects in the province. The BLA, in particular, has claimed responsibility for several pipeline attacks, including the destruction of a pipeline at Kambari Pul in Dhadar in September 2025 and the targeting of an OGDCL-operated gas pipeline in Tobo, Dera Bugti, in May 2025. Such attacks have compounded the ongoing energy crisis in the province.
Authorities have urged patience, stating that repair crews are working around the clock to restore gas supply and improve pressure to prevent further hardship during the harsh winter. Residents have demanded an end to load-shedding and better maintenance of gas infrastructure to ensure uninterrupted service.
