UNIDENTIFIED attackers in Pakistan’s Sadiqabad district ruptured two gas pipelines belonging to Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Ltd on 29 April, resulting in the suspension of almost 70% of the gas supply to the Punjab and NWFP provinces.
The damaged 30-in and 24-in pipelines are the main source of gas supply from the Sui (Balochistan) and Qadirpur gasfield to the Punjab and NWFP. SNGPL officials termed the incident a result of a sabotage activity, and said the pipelines were blown up with a bomb at Ahmed Pur Lamma, some 15km from the Sadiqabad, in the early hours with a considerable explosion. Rescue teams from Multan and Sukkur reached the site soon thereafter and are working to ensure as early a restoration of gas supply to the consumers as possible, as well as examining the damaged pipelines to ensure their future integrity.
In January this year, local tribesmen similarly ruptured the gas pipelines, causing a loss of around £12 million. The Sui gasfield produces 45% of Pakistan's total gas supply, with the remaining 55% being provided by the Qadirpur, Dhodar, and Potohar gasfields, along with other southern sources.
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