PM urged to allocate rightful share of gas to Sindh
Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar. SCREENGRAB
Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has urged Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq to allocate Sindh its rightful share of natural gas under Article 158 of the Constitution, so that the industrial and business activities in the province may be carried out smoothly.
In a letter addressed to the prime minister, the CM said that Sindh industries and business zones are facing serious problems due to low pressure as well as complete closure of gas supply for two days every week (Saturday and Sunday).
The CM pointed out that the situation has crippled the industrial and business activities in the province.
He informed the PM that since the foreign exchange reserves of Pakistan have already dipped to $12.302 billion, the shortage of gas has aggravated the situation as exporters are unable to meet the deadlines due to shortage of gas.
Read Sindh CM asks PM for due gas share amid acute shortage
The CM further informed the prime minister that Article 158 of the Constitution was quite clear that the first right of usage of gas was for that province where it is produced as Sindh generates 65 per cent of the total gas of the country.
He said that in previous years, 211mmcfd gas was allotted to SNGP instead of SSGC in violation of Article 158, which should now be diverted back to the SSGC.
The CM urged the PM that the production from new wells was being allotted in violation of the historical practice of a 50:50 ratio that was the allocation of Mari Field. "Sindh is compelled to buy RLNG (imported gas) which is against the Constitution, because the province is not obligated to offer gas to other provinces," the CM said.
Baqar urged the prime minister that the closure of gas for two days a week in all industrial zones may be done away with, and uninterrupted gas with full pressure be ensured. He said that Sindh may be provided its due share of natural gas so that industrial and business activities could flourish.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2023.