Though the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan produce a major share of the natural gas in the country with at least 69 and 17 percent respectively, new connections of gas utility are banned since August 2012. And, the politicians will stand deprived of using the slogan of gasification of villages in their election campaigns.
A large number of villages and towns in Sindh and Balochistan have been without gas connections since a couple of months due to energy crisis in the country. However, the ongoing schemes under the MNAs, MPAs and Senators have fallen prey to the shortage of gas and ban of new gas connections. So the people of these major gas producing provinces would remain deprived of the gas facility.
Sources in the gas utility told Pakistan Today that former prime minister Gilani had imposed ban on new development schemes throughout the country except those districts where gas was being produced.
“In view of the prevailing situation in the country, the SSGC is not in a position to undertake new development schemes in towns and villages in the provinces of Sindh and Balochistan, especially under the loan agreement with government of Sindh”, the sources added.
The SSGC was continuously receiving approvals for new schemes pertaining to all districts of Sindh but the Sindh government should stop approving new schemes as the gas company could not implement the policy in present circumstances, they added.
There are thousands of towns and villages where the SSGC is supposed to undertake new gas connections within the constituencies of elected representatives – MNAs, MPAs and Senators – however the bar on new connections would create an embarrassing situation for the elected representatives to continue with the slogans of roti, kapra aur makan.
According to the sources, so far the SSGC has undertaken schemes of providing gas facility to towns and villages worth Rs 2,900 million under loans from the government of Sindh. The company completed schemes in 340 towns and villages at a total cost of Rs 1890 million during December 2009 to October 2011 by laying 823 km pipelines of various diameters.
The worst sufferer of the gas shortage is Gadap Town as the population of more than one million is living a hard life without the gas facility.
Interestingly, the natural gas is being provided to dozens of CNG pumps along the Super Highway and even at Goy Nayab area however the gas pipelines could not be extended just four kilometers to gasify a large number of centuries-old villages of Gadap. The irony of the people of Gadap is that they even do not know about any Sui gas facility by the government.
The villages that have been deprived of the gas facility are: Dost Mohammad Khaskheli Goth, Yar Mohammad Wadhelo Baloch Goth, Haji Jabli Goth, Chanesar Jokhio Goth, Haji Hamal Baloch Goth, Khamiso Abdul Rehman Goth, Mai Syria Goth, Marri Mohalla, Solangi Mohalla, Lalo Jokhio Goth, Meewo Gabol Goth, Arib Rind Goth, Shahi Gabol Goth, Khalu Gabol Goth, Hamza Behru Goth, Umeed Ali Gabol Goth, Ameer Bux Gabol Goth, Nabi Bux Gabol Goth, Aali Gabol Goth, Juma Morio Gabol Goth, Mulla Azeem Goth, Radhu Jokhio Goth, Gajjan Khan Baloch Goth, Haji Allah Bachayo Baloch Goth, Ghulam Mohammad Jokhio Goth, Sain Rakhayo Jokhio Goth, Mangio Jokhio Goth, Qadu Jokhio Goth, Pubb Malir Goth, Haji Fakeer Mohammad Wadhelo Goth, Gadap City, Hindu Mohalla, Mureed Jokhio Goth, Haji Jokhio Goth, Khamiso Muhalla, Hussain Baloch Goth, Rao Gohrab Jokhio Goth, Soomrani Goth, Rasool Bux Khaskheli Goth, Godo Jokhio Goth, Haku Brohi Goth, Suleman Baloch Goth, Haji Abdul Raheem Wadhelo Goth, Haji Abdul Kareem Baloch Goth, Gabol Goth and Wahid Bux Gabol Goth.
A social worker and chairman Gadap Development Social Welfare Organization, Zafar Baloch, told Pakistan Today that dozens of villages of Gadap, the area that contributes a lot to the revenue, were still without Sui gas.
“We (the people of Gadap) have time and again raised the voice about the social injustice before the elected representatives but no one was ready to resolve the issue and ensure provision of gas to Gadap area”, he added.
“After getting the votes, PPP MNAs and MPAs have never visited the area. I don’t know where the millions of rupees funds are going as no development has been carried out in the four-year tenure of the present regime”, Zafar Baloch opined.
He demanded of President Asif Zardari, prime minister, and Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan to take serious note of the injustice with the Gadap area and ensure provision of sui gas at the earliest.
