Gas supply to Quetta after 11 days
The provincial capital's gas supply was restored on Sunday following an 11-day suspension, triggered by floodwaters that broke the banks of the Bolan River as a result of incessant rains and swept the 12-inch pipeline, near the Bibi Nani area of the Bolan district of Balochistan.
The destruction of the pipeline also interrupted gas supplies to other areas, notably Pishin, Ziarat, Mastung, Kalat, Khuzdar, and Mach.
Earlier on August 19, floodwater washed out another 24-inch-diameter pipeline in the same area, but the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) continued to supply Quetta through a narrower 12-inch pipeline until August 25, when it was also removed.
SSGC was not able to begin repair work on both pipelines in flooded areas for more than a week.
When the water backed off last week, they started repairing. Finally, after the work was completed, the gas supply to the provincial capital was re-established on Sunday.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had previously instructed the authorities to accelerate work and restore gas supplies to Quetta and other areas of Baluchistan without delay.