Worsening gas shortage

Few know that the entire country has been in the grip of a severe shortage of gas for more than a fortnight. The lack of realisation of the energy crisis at the public level is lamentable. After the gas shortage was well into the second week, it appeared in the press that taking notice of the situation the government has sprung into action. The results of the government’s action remain yet to be seen. Now a report in this newspaper says provinces have turned down a proposal by the centre that the former withdraw their first right of use over natural gas and give top priority to domestic consumers. The proposal was taken up at a recent meeting of the Council of Common Interests with the aim to overcome the gas crisis in winter. Under Article 158 of the Constitution, gas-producing provinces Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh have the first right of use over the natural resources found in their jurisdictions. Punjab, which has a large population, has been most affected by this provision. Now a committee, comprising chief ministers of provinces and the petroleum division minister, has been formed to discuss the plan further and develop a consensus.

Gas rationing has been in place in the country for the past five-six years. The supply situation worsens when temperatures drop in winter and gas has to be diverted to colder regions. In the past, the government used to announce closure schedule, but this year no gas load management schedule has been announced. People are in the dark about how long the shortage will continue? It has become difficult to prepare meals in homes due to the erratic supply of gas. Commuters too are suffering. When the gas shortage has been persisting for many years, why public buses have not been reverted to petrol? Taking advantage of an acute shortage of public transport criminals are targeting people easily.

Politicians go on making promises. Problems go on increasing.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27^th, 2019.

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