Warning signals: MPAs threaten sit-ins over prevailing gas crisis

They demanded Sindh's energy needs be fulfilled being the largest gas supplier of country

KARACHI: The severe gas load-shedding in various cities and towns of the province dominated Sindh Assembly proceedings on Thursday, where lawmakers from all political parties joined hands and adopted a unanimous resolution. They warned the federal government of staging an indefinite sit-in before the Sui Southern Gas Company's (SSGC) office. The resolution jointly moved by Mohammad Hussain of Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM), Saeed Ghani of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Nand Kumar Goklani of Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) demanded the provincial government to take up the issue with the Centre.

During the debate on the issue, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah expressed dismay over the federal government's attitude, which according to him, was unconcerned with Sindh's issues. "We have taken this issue to the Council of Common Interest (CCI) meeting several times. After this resolution, I am going to write to the federal government again so that the matter is included in the upcoming CCI meeting agenda and resolved," he said, adding that Sindh produces 70% of the gas in the country, but its energy needs aren't fulfilled. He referred to Article 158 of the Constitution that says, "The province in which a well-head of natural gas is situated shall have precedence over other parts of Pakistan in meeting the requirement from well-head."

Earlier, the mover of the resolution, Mohammad Hussain, in his speech said, "Karachi is the economic hub and largest city of Pakistan where gas load-shedding has made citizens' lives miserable. "The industries are shutting down and people are unable to cook their food. Students go to school on empty stomachs. Sindh is province with gas in surplus. We demand that Sindh's energy needs be met first and then supply gas to other provinces," he said.

Hussain said that power-producing companies are not generating power and many factories have closed their businesses and fired their employees. "I request the Sindh government to follow the resolution and pursue gas utility companies to resolve this issue," he opined.

Ghani called it the federal government's incompetence and said, "Nothing will happen by suspending managing directors of gas companies. There is dire need for drastic reforms and solutions to people's problem. If our gas issue is not resolved, we will hold demonstrations and stage sit-ins before gas offices in the entire province," he threatened.

Goklani said, "The court has passed judgment to provide gas to all villages and towns near gas fields," he said adding that Sanghar, Ghotki, Kamber Shahdadkot, Badin and Khairpur Mir were among top gas producing districts in Sindh but people were still forced to fulfill their energy needs using traditional ways. "Not only domestic consumers, but transport also suffers when gas is not supplied to CNG stations," he said.

Haleem Adil Shaikh, parliamentary leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supported the resolution, but referred to impending issues including water and sanitation in Karachi, which according to him were also important to be resolved. "Our prime minister has taken notice of this issue and suspended high officials for their negligence. Can anyone in Sindh government dare to take action against negligent officials," he said adding that PTI has been in power for hardly six months.

ADR law passed

The Sindh Assembly on Thursday passed the 'Alternative Dispute Resolution' (ADR) law to settle civil disputes outside court. 'The Code of Civil Procedure' (Sindh Amendment Bill 2018) was introduced on November 12 in the provincial assembly and was referred to standing committees for consideration and amendment. Moving the bill, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Excise and Taxation Department Mukesh Kumar Chawla said that the courts continue to face a colossal backlog of cases. This law will empower courts to refer cases for mediation or reconciliation.

The objective of the law was to reduce the burden of courts. "Among other issues, the delays and non-resolution of cases lead to personal losses, deaths, deprivation and loss of billions of the economy, closure of businesses, severely damaged relationship and unrest in the society at large," the law said.

According to the law, the courts that review the merit of cases will first examine and assess the possibility of resolving the issue and then refer the cases to designated mediators and set a time frame for its resolution. "On referring a case for ADR, the court shall direct both parties to appear before the appointed mediator on the date and times fixed by the court, and resolve the issue within sixty days from the date of reference."

Mediation centres would be set up with the approval of Sindh High Court and the cases would be sent to them as per requirement. "There would be proper training of the mediator on how to deal with the issues," the law said.

Assembly also passed a law to rename "National Institute of Cardiovascular diseases" (NICVD) as "Sindh Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases. The law was moved by Health Minister Dr Azra Pechuho and was passed unanimously.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 11^th, 2019.