Prepare a case for Sindh, CM tells energy minister

Shah cites Article 158, says will take up gas shortage matter with Centre

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has directed the provincial energy department to prepare a case for Sindh's gas requirements in line with Article 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan so that he can take the matter up with the federal government.

At a meeting on Wednesday over gas shortage in the province, the CM said that the Constitution guarantees provision of natural gas to the people of the province, where it is being produced. "When the Constitution guarantees[it], how can the federal government deprive people of Sindh from the gas being produced in the province?" asked Shah.

Briefing the CM, the provincial energy minister Imtiaz Shaikh claimed that the Centre has formulated a policy under which natural gas was given to other provinces at the expense of the Sindh's people.

Shah directed the provincial energy department to prepare a detailed report, including the total production of gas from Sindh, its distribution formula, the total requirement and the net receiving. The meeting observed that gas being provided to national units was being counted in the province's share. "The industrial units, which were producing fertilizer or electricity were operating for the entire country, therefore they should be counted separately," contended the chief minister.

Noting that domestic and industrial consumers were both suffering because of the current gas crisis, Shah said that he would take up the matter with the federal government.

Article 158 reads: "The Province in which a well-head of natural gas is situated shall have precedence over other parts of Pakistan in meeting the requirements from the well-head, subject to the commitments and obligations as on the commencing day." Gas distribution has previously been a point of contention between the provinces and Centre.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2020.