No heat

Winter temperatures in Quetta often plummet below zero. During these cold months, residents face severe challenges due to inadequate heating systems. A critical concern is the chronically low gas pressure, which fails to meet household and commercial demands. Despite exorbitant bills, the gas supply remains insufficient for basic needs such as cooking and heating, disproportionately impacting areas like Magsi Street. This scarcity has forced many to resort to burning firewood by cutting down trees, an unsustainable and harmful practice. The consequences are twofold: deforestation is depleting Quetta’s greenery, and the toxic smoke from wood-burning exacerbates air pollution, further endangering public health and the environment. We urgently appeal to the higher authorities for intervention to resolve the gas supply crisis and mitigate its ripple effects. Immediate measures to stabilise gas pressure, regulate pricing, and promote alternative heating solutions would greatly alleviate residents’ suffering and protect our environment.

Uzma Sosan

Quetta