Seeking justice: Petition against gas disconnection filed

Argues K-P produces more than it consumes, must take precedence over provinces.

PESHAWAR:

All Pakistan CNG Association (K-P Zone) filed a petition at Peshawar High Court to stop the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd from disconnecting gas at CNG stations on Wednesday. Thirty-five petitioners said low gas supply and closure of CNG stations was in violation of PHC’s earlier judgment, invoking contempt of court.

The petition made secretary for Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, SNGPL K-P chief secretary, MD and GM, Malakand Division commissioner and Swat deputy commissioner respondents. It said respondents had violated Article 5 of the Constitution and were dishonouring the mandate of Article 158 by curtailing and limiting gas supply to K-P in the name of load management. It also stated K-P’s production of natural gas was more than its consumption.

The PHC in its earlier judgment regarding gas load management and delinking of CNG stations had ordered that K-P must receive precedence over other parts of Pakistan in meeting its requirements. However, SNGPL did not concede, allowing the federal government to export to gas-deficient Punjab. This also results in faulty pipelines, further aggravating the low pressure situation in K-P, said the petition.

The federal government has also placed a moratorium on new connections, the extension of load for domestic and industrial connections.



The petition stated the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources was insincere in its dealing with K-P despite producing surplus gas. K-P is a net exporter and produces over 362 million cubic feet (MCF) of gas per day and consumes only 293 MMCFD. The petition added the minister was not interested in the gas fields of K-P such as Makori East and Mamikhel whose production ranged quite high.

Since the percentage of unaccounted for gas (UFG) is higher than industry standard and what OGRA allows for SNGPL, secretary Petroleum, GM SNGPL have decided to use low gas pressure as a method to reduce UFG. They believe this way the gas crisis can be resolved.

Since K-P remains the net exporter of gas and produces more gas than the actual demand, respondents are bound to meet the entire demand with priority. The petition also said district administrations enjoy no power whatsoever in ordering closure of CNG stations or causing gas load-shedding. Moreover, commissioner enjoys no powers under K-P Rules of Business 1985 or otherwise to order load-shedding of gas or curtail its supply to CNG stations. Therefore, respondents may be restrained from gas load-shedding till the final disposal of the petition in hand.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2016.