Sindh CM asks PM for due gas share amid acute shortage

Baqar urges Kakar to intervene to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to industries, business sector

In a letter addressed to interim Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar, Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has expressed deep concern over the severe shortage of gas crippling industrial zones across the province.

In the letter, a copy of which is available with The Express Tribune, Baqar requested immediate intervention to ensure uninterrupted gas supply with full pressure, citing adverse impacts on the industrial and business sectors.

“Sindh is facing acute shortage of gas in all industrial zones, first, due to its complete closure for two days every week (Saturday and Sunday) and secondly, because of deplorably low pressure for the remaining days,” Baqar wrote.

Highlighting the problems faced by the industrial and business sector in the province, he said the industrial and business community had been imploring for an uninterrupted supply of gas with full pressure. However, he added, there had been no favourable response from the concerned authorities.

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“Since foreign exchange reserves of Pakistan have already dipped to $12.302 billion, the shortage of gas has only aggravated this situation as exporters are unable to meet the deadlines,” he argued.

The interim chief minister said that Article 158 of the Constitution was quite clear that the first right of usage of gas is for that province where it was produced and the province of Sindh generated around 65% of the total gas of the country.

He maintained that in previous years, 211 MMCFD gas was allotted to SNGP instead of SSGC, which was in violation of the Article mentioned above, which should now be diverted back to SSGC.

“The production from new wells is being allotted in violation of the historical practice of (50:50 ratio) i.e., allocation of Mari Field. Sindh is also being compelled to buy RLNG (imported gas) which is violative of the Constitution, because the province is not obligated to offer gas to other provinces, except, what is available as surplus,” he pointed out.

While stressing the need to supply the gas round the clock to the province, he requested the PM to done away with the closure of gas for two days a week (Saturday and Sunday) in all industrial zones and an uninterrupted gas with full pressure may be ensured.

“In accordance with the aforementioned Article, Sindh should be provided with its due share of natural gas, so that the industrial and business activities may be carried out smoothly,” he added.

He requested the prime minister to direct authorities to resolve this serious issue in the larger interest of the province.