JI stages protest against gas loadshedding in city

Several people, including women and businesspersons, staged a sit-in protest demonstration outside the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) headquarters on Thursday on the call of the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) against gas loadshedding and “excessive billing” in Karachi.

Carrying placards and banners, the protesters chanted slogans against the SSGCL and blocked Sir Shah Suleman Road. Addressing the demonstration, Karachi JI chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman warned the authorities to acknowledge the gravity of the issue and find a solution. He held previous governments responsible for creating this crisis.

Comparing the SSGCL to K-Electric (KE), Rehman said, “Unfortunately, the SSGCL has been following in the KE’s footsteps and behaving like a mafia. If they fail to put their house in order, they will be treated as such.”

He criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, and Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan for their inaction. “The entire city faces a severe crisis of gas and other utilities,” he said, “yet these parties, which enjoy perks and privileges, have done nothing for the development and needs of Karachi.”

Highlighting Article 158 of the Pakistani Constitution, Rehman emphasised the priority rights of Sindh’s people to gas produced within the province. He then detailed the SSGCL’s charging practices, where consumers were allegedly forced to pay hefty bills despite receiving little to no gas.

Concluding his speech, he urged Karachiites to unite and support the JI in the upcoming general elections scheduled on February 8. He vowed that their votes would translate into the development and progress of the city.