Representational Image. PHOTO: REUTERS
“The miseries of residents are inexplicable as the province is hit by a domestic gas breakdown and low pressure,” argued the lawyers in their petition submitted to the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Tuesday.
“It is not only against the constitution but also violates the earlier ruling of the PHC.”
The petitioners asked the PHC to direct the federal government to adhere to the provisions of the Constitution, especially to Article 158 which provides that the supply of gas shall remain uninterrupted in areas producing gas.
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The petition has been filed by Supreme Court Advocate Muhammad Arif Khan, Abbas Sangin Khan and Shakil Aman. They have listed the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), Petroleum Ministry, Petroleum secretary and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairman as respondents in the case.
Domestic consumers in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa have seen a fall in gas pressure, and even the absence of any supply, ever since a cold snap gripped the country. The SNGPL is said to be unable to meet the gas demands of domestic and commercial consumers.
The petitioners believe that since K-P is producing more gas than its consumption, the constitution provides that the people of the province have first right to utilise their resources. Hence, they should be entitled to uninterrupted gas supply.
“The respondents are creating hurdles for the people of this province by resorting to massive gas load shedding,” the lawyers argued.
In 2011, domestic consumers had faced a severe shortage of gas with supply suspended for weeks. The suspension had been subsequently challenged in the PHC by various petitioners.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2017.
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