QUETTA – A large gathering of clerics (Ulemas) and media persons held today at Quetta Press Club, witnessed the formal launch of SSGC’s Winter Safety Media Campaign in Balochistan.
This campaign is a yearly activity in SSGC’s event calendar that primarily focusses on saving precious human lives that used to be unfortunately lost in the yesteryears due to careless use of gas fired appliances, specially gas heaters. In the very campaign, SSGC educates its customers on the safe use of heaters that need to be shut off after properly warming the room, before going to bed. Launching of this safety campaign over the years has resulted in significantly bringing down the toll of human deaths.
For this purpose, SSGC not only executes advertising campaigns on print and electronic media but the deadly hazards are effectively highlighted through Company’s digital media platforms. To supplement its efforts SSGC’s Quetta Regional office undertakes multiple BTL activities that include public announcements through loud speakers mounted on its service vehicles that roam around in and outside gasified towns and villages of Balochistan. Moreover, handbills are distributed at public places whereas posters are also pasted on prominent places, that alert its readers on safe use of gas heaters.
Another effective measure taken in this regards is the engagement of religious leaders (ulemas) who have a strong following in Balochistan. Through their sermons, specially in Jumma prayers they inform their audience on taking relevant precautionary measures. Besides the uelmas, SSGC also partners with the media fraternity to propagate the message of safe use of gas heaters.
In today’s luncheon reception held in the honor of Ulemas and media fraternity, that was well attended by both these segments, the speakers stressed upon the people not only to conserve gas but also to handle gas heaters with much needed wisdom. Those who addressed the gathering included Peer Syed Habibullah Chisti, Ameer Jamat Ahal-e-Sunnat Balochistan, Molana Anwar-ul-Haq Haqqani, former member Rohit-e-Hilal Committee, Mufti Abdul Wajid Agha, Imam Masjid PSP Colony, Professor Syed Arshad Yameen, Muhtamim Jamia Al-Huda and Mufti Mohamad Noman, Nazim Mohammadi masjid whereas the media fraternity was represented by Salman Ashraf, President Balochistan Union of Journalists (BUJ).
The learned speakers besides educating on the safety campaign also highlighted few issues for SSGC to take care of, with regards to low pressure of gas in some areas, speedy new connections, special gas tariff for Balochistan, etc. General Manager Balochistan Region Madni Siddiqui in his speech not only comprehensively replied to all points raised by the speakers but also went on length to explain the present situation, the Company is confronted with and the constructive measures it has taken recently to address the same. He informed that despite of shortage in its system, SSGC’s management gives priority to its customer in Balochistan who are facing the hardship of winter season. He asked the media persons and ulemas to highlight against the nuisance of gas compressors that has speed up in recent past. Not only its illegal, hazardous, but it also deprives a large neighborhood from gas, if one deploys this devise in his home.
Company’s Spokesperson and Head of Corporate Communications Salman A. Siddiqui who was master of ceremony of today event also explained the role of SSGC as gas transmission and distribution company. Due to constant depletion of gas reserves by 8-10% every year SSGC faces a visible shortage of gas supplies in its system due to which it as to resort to a gas load management plan that is approved by government of Pakistan in which the domestic customer is the first priority. Launching ceremony concluded on vote of thanks from Acting DGM Distribution Anwar Baloch who thanked the audience for gracing the occasion with their presence.
