Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party Protests in Quetta Against Prolonged Power Outages, Gas Suspension and Alleged Abductions
The Pashtunkhwa National Awami Party (PNAP) staged a large protest demonstration outside the Quetta Press Club against prolonged electricity load-shedding, gas suspension, alleged harassment at security checkpoints, and the closure of petrol businesses in the city.
Addressing the gathering, PNAP Provincial President Nasrullah Khan Zarey and Provincial Office Secretary Nida Singer said that Quetta, the provincial capital with a population of around four million, is facing unbearable hardship during the severe winter due to prolonged power outages and gas shortages. They termed the situation a “collective punishment” for the people of the city.
Hundreds of party workers and citizens participated in the protest, chanting slogans against electricity load-shedding and gas suspension. The speakers criticized the government, OGRA, and K-Electric Supply Company (KESCO), demanding an immediate end to prolonged load-shedding across Quetta and other parts of Balochistan.
The speakers stated that despite the discovery of gas in Sui in the 1950s and later in Zarghoon Ghar, most districts of Balochistan still lack access to this basic facility. They said that gas load-shedding has made life extremely difficult for the public, while the electricity situation continues to deteriorate.
They alleged that KESCO has deliberately damaged the electricity infrastructure across the province, with several feeders completely shut down, wires removed from poles, and even theft of main national transmission lines reportedly occurring due to negligence or consent of KESCO officials.
The party leaders announced that the protest movement officially began on January 1, 2026, and would continue on January 2 in Muslim Bagh and other districts against KESCO, alleged mistreatment of citizens at checkpoints, and the shutdown of petrol businesses.
The speakers also demanded the immediate recovery of PNAP Sibi district senior assistant secretary Engineer Sadiq Khan Khajak, who they claimed was abducted by state institutions on May 25, 2025. They further called for the acceptance of demands raised by Federal Levies personnel and the recovery of a child allegedly abducted from Airport Road, Quetta.
The party warned that protests would intensify if the authorities failed to address public grievances and ensure the provision of basic services.
