File Photo of Mr. Justice Kamran Malakhail
Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA: The Balochistan High Court expressed its displeasure over the failure to implement court orders regarding gas bills, specifically those involving the addition of new charges, load shedding, and reduced gas pressure in the province. During the hearing, a divisional bench comprising Justice Muhammad Kamran Khan Malakhail and Mr. Justice Shaukat Ali Rakhshani summoned the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Chief Secretary of Balochistan, and the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Balochistan for the next hearing.
The case, filed by senior jurist Syed Nazir Agha Advocate, addresses complaints about inflated gas bills, frequent load shedding, and inadequate gas pressure. Several legal representatives and officials from Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL), including SSGC Quetta’s legal team and SSGC Karachi’s recovery management, appeared in court to respond to the issues raised.
During the proceedings, the SSGC management admitted that an IT-related technical error caused miscalculations in consumer bills. This explanation, however, did little to satisfy the court, which voiced concerns over the company’s overall handling of the issue. The bench sharply criticized SSGCL officials for what it described as “non-technical, non-professional, obstinate, and arrogant behavior,” accusing the company of running its operations like a “fiefdom.”
In a stern warning, the bench directed the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister to ensure compliance with its orders. Failure to do so would require the Principal Secretary to personally appear before the court. The court has also instructed the Chief Secretary of Balochistan and the Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister to attend the next hearing in person and submit progress reports on the implementation of the court’s previous directives.
The case will be resumed in the next hearing, where the summoned officials are expected to provide updates on compliance with the court’s orders.
