A major gas pipeline explosion in southern Pakistan has disrupted energy supplies across several districts, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the country’s volatile Balochistan province.
According to local officials, an 18-inch-diameter natural gas pipeline was blown up on the outskirts of Quetta, the provincial capital. The blast, which authorities believe was an act of sabotage, caused a sudden halt in gas supply to multiple areas of the city and at least five surrounding districts.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far, and investigations are still underway.
The damaged pipeline is part of the network operated by Sui Southern Gas Company, which plays a key role in distributing natural gas across southern Pakistan. Officials from the company confirmed that emergency repair teams have been deployed to the site and are working to restore supply as quickly as possible.
The explosion once again underscores the fragile security situation in Balochistan, a resource-rich but restive region bordering Afghanistan and Iran. The province has long been plagued by insurgent activity, with separatist groups and militant organizations frequently targeting infrastructure, security forces, and government assets.
These groups often accuse the central government of failing to fairly distribute the province’s natural resource wealth, fueling a long-running insurgency that has periodically disrupted economic activity and development projects.
While no casualties have been reported in this latest incident, the attack has caused significant inconvenience for residents and businesses already dealing with energy shortages. Authorities have not provided a timeline for full restoration but say efforts are ongoing.
The incident adds to a series of security challenges facing Pakistan’s energy infrastructure, raising concerns about the reliability of supply in key regions and the broader impact on the country’s economy.
