More promises: Power projects in K-P to get ‘sufficient’ gas

K-P CM chairs a high-level meeting on petroleum and gas issues of the province

In a high-level meeting with the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on Thursday, Federal Minister for Petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi recognised the province’s right over its natural resources and assured all power projects in K-P will be provided with sufficient quantity of gas.

In the meeting, held at the CM's Secretariat, MNA Imran Khattak, Parliamentary Secretary Mian Khaleequr Rehman, Adviser to CM on Economic Affairs Rafaqatullah Babar, K-P Board of Investment and Trade Vice Chairman Mohsin Aziz, Additional Chief Secretary Khalid Pervez attended the meeting in addition to other authorities.

CM Khattak, premising his argument on longstanding demands of the public and business community of the province, called for immediate abolition of restrictions over new gas connections.

The federal minister vowed to take up the issue with the Economic Coordination Council (ECC) and assured support for the terrorism-hit province. Abbasi also assured the longstanding issue of low gas pressure in certain areas of the province will be addressed on a priority basis.

Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited managing director, who also participated in the meeting, revealed there would be an investment of Rs5 billion for an extension in network and provision of legal connections to curb the growing gas theft in Kohat and Karak districts. Among agreements of making further progress with the increase in LPG quota, establishment of more LPG companies in the province, and free basin studies on oil and gas reserves in the province, it was also agreed gas companies will provide more funds out of their production bonuses to the province.

While ensuring no stone will be left unturned in providing security to investors and technical teams in the province, authorities of the provincial government shied away from ensuring the same in the tribal areas, and said the federal government will have to be contacted for that.

CM Khattak also used the opportunity to express concern over the non-supply of gas to Wapda Colony on GT Road despite formal agreements and a security deposit of Rs70 million three years ago. He urged authorities to resolve the matter on a priority basis. He was assured these issues will be resolved within a few days.