Supply gas to villages near gas fields: SHC

Orders release of funds to SSGC for the purpose

KARACHI:

The burning issues of gas supply to villages near gas fields and Sindh's claim to its share in the gas extracted from the province came up for hearing at the Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday.

SHC ordered the secretaries of the federal ministries of petroleum and finance to release funds to Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) regarding the petition related to the supply of gas to villages near gas reserves in Sindh.

The SSGC representative claimed in front of the two-member bench headed by Justice KK Agha that no funding has yet been provided by the ministry for the provision of gas to the villages. The court expressed its indignation at the ministry officials, who sought a time of two weeks to disburse the funds to the SSGC.

The SSGC officials replying to a question said they have not received any amount so far from the relevant ministries.

The ministry of petroleum should provide SSGC more than Rs423 million, the court declared and said so that the nearby villages should be connected to the SSGC network.

"We are ready to provide the funds," the lawyer of the petroleum ministry stated. The bench expressed ire and said, "You are just waiting for the caretaker government." The lawyer of the petroleum ministry stated that spending on projects is now subject to the approval by the IMF. On this, Justice KK Agha said, "If you disagree with our decision, go to the Supreme Court." Court orders should be delivered to the secretaries of petroleum and finance as well, he said.

Sindh's share

The court questioned what actions the Sindh government is taking regarding its gas share.

The counsel for the Sindh government, "We are taking this case to the Supreme Court."

When you will appear before the Supreme Court, the court asked. The attorney said that the choice to appeal to the Supreme Court will be made by the Sindh Cabinet.

The bench said if the Sindh government does not have an issue, it is their will. Justice Agha noted that the Sindh government has not made any progress regarding its case for rightful share in gas extracted from the province.

He further pointed out that this matter has not been brought up in the CCI by the Sindh government. The Sindh government is in charge of handling this situation. What actions would the Sindh government take if there is a gas shortage and people cannot even prepare a cup of tea, Justice Agha said. It is up to the Sindh government to decide what to do with Article 158 of the Constitution.

The court ordered the secretaries of the ministries of petroleum and finance to make sure that SSGC receives funding of more than Rs423 million.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 9^th, 2023.