Hazra
‘Billed for gas we never get’: Hazara women protest winter shortages in Pakistan's Quetta
A large number of women from Pakistan’s Hazara community staged a sit-in near the regional headquarters of the Southern Gas Company (SGC) in Quetta on Tuesday, protesting prolonged gas shortages and alleged overcharging during the winter season.
The demonstration continued for nearly six hours, during which protesters blocked Samungli Road, leading to major traffic disruptions in the area.
Participants said households had been facing severe hardship due to frequent and prolonged gas outages without prior notice, leaving residents unable to cook meals or heat their homes amid the cold weather.
“We are being billed as if gas is being supplied around the clock, while in reality we spend most of the day without it,” protester Kaneez Fatima told The Express Tribune.
The women also highlighted the disproportionate impact of the erratic gas supply on children, elderly residents, and low-income families dependent on daily wages, who struggle to pay inflated utility bills despite the inconsistent service.
The demonstrators urged the authorities to ensure an uninterrupted gas supply during the harsh winter months, warning that continued shortages would further exacerbate the hardships faced by vulnerable communities.
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