Blood and Bills: Deadly Shootings Rock Balochistan as Quetta Erupts Over Gas Costs
Multiple shooting incidents leave dead and injured in Balochistan, while Quetta residents block roads over soaring gas bills.
A wave of violence has gripped Balochistan, Pakistan, leaving one man dead and several others injured in a series of separate shooting incidents across the Kech and Kohlu districts. As the region grapples with insecurity, the provincial capital, Quetta, has seen citizens take to the streets in a heated protest against skyrocketing utility costs.
Fatal Encounter in Kech District
Tragedy struck the Bal Nigwar area of Dasht in the Kech district when two brothers, traveling on a motorcycle, were allegedly targeted by Frontier Corps (FC) personnel. According to reports, the personnel opened fire on the pair, resulting in the immediate death of Shahjahan, son of Babul.
His brother, Imam Bakhsh, survived the initial onslaught but sustained gunshot injuries. Both victims were rushed to the Teaching Hospital Turbat for medical attention. Despite the severity of the event, the district administration and relevant authorities have remained silent, issuing no official statement regarding the shooting.
Terror in Kohlu and Mystery in Turbat
The violence extended to the Kohlu district, where a vehicle came under fire, leaving three people injured. Among the casualties were women and children. Local sources have pointed toward a government-backed armed group as the perpetrators of this attack, though specific details regarding the condition of the wounded remain scarce.
In another chilling discovery, the lifeless body of a man named Asif, son of Barkat, was found at Kallag Cross on the M-8 highway in Turbat. Asif, a resident of Buleda, had been shot, but the circumstances surrounding his death and the motive behind the killing remain a mystery.
Quetta Residents Block Roads Over 'Exorbitant' Gas Bills
While violence plagued the districts, the city of Quetta witnessed a different kind of unrest. Frustrated residents blocked Samungli Road in a massive demonstration against the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and government authorities.
The Core of the Grievance
Protesters alleged that they are being targeted with incorrect meter readings and "unusually high" gas bills that have become an unbearable financial burden. The demonstrators highlighted a shocking disparity in billing, claiming that some households—already struggling with limited incomes—were being asked to pay thousands, and in some extreme cases, hundreds of thousands of rupees.
Demands for Relief
The protesters have demanded a transparent review of all disputed bills and the immediate removal of unjustified additional charges. They are calling for urgent financial relief to prevent ordinary families from falling deeper into poverty.
The blockade caused significant disruption to traffic along Samungli Road, leaving commuters stranded as the public vented their anger over the rising cost of living.