Quetta traders threaten shut down

QUETTA: The leaders of Anjuman-e-Tajiran Balochistan (ATB) have threatened of observing complete shutterdown strike in Quetta on February 18, if gas and electricity supply to the province was not properly restored.They alleged that through a conspiracy gas pipelines and electricity towers were being exploded in Balochistan to meet the requirement of Punjab.These views were expressed by ATB President Muhammad Rahim Kakar, flanked by other office-bearers, while addressing a press conference in Quetta Press Club on Tuesday.He said that Balochistan was already facing a lot of troubles and difficulties, including kidnapping for ransom, target killings and lawlessness, while on the other hand, suspension of gas and electricity to different towns of Balochistan including Quetta had doubled the miseries of people.Kakar said that the entire province had been deprived of gas facility twice in a month in freezing temperature which had not only created difficulties for children and aged people but also caused negative impact on business community. “ATB has always raised voice for the rights of people,” he said, adding that through a conspiracy the share of Balochistan in gas was being diverted to Punjab.He said that one month earlier, owing to gas shortage in different towns of Punjab including Faisalabad CNG stations and factories were being provided gas for three days in a week, forcing the people to take the streets there.
“Now gas pipelines in Balochistan are blown up and the shortage of gas in Punjab is being met from our quota,” the ATB president claimed.Similarly, he said that the towers of electricity were being exploded and the whole province had been deprived of electricity that had caused irreparable losses to the agriculture and other sectors.“QESCO authorities should immediately halt unannounced loadshedding in Quetta and other districts,” he urged, and warned that if their demands were not accepted they would observe a shutterdown in Quetta on February 18, and asked members of business community to make it a success – Nation