CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa urges PM to restore gas supply to CNG sector amid law & order concerns

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene in the suspension of gas supply to the CNG sector in the province, warning that the move could trigger widespread agitation and create a law-and-order situation.

In a letter dated May 18, the chief minister said that the recent decision of the Petroleum Division to curtail gas supply to the CNG sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was reportedly due to LNG supply disruptions and system constraints faced by SNGPL (Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited).

“While we fully appreciate that SNGPL is operating under a constrained supply environment and must manage line pack pressures, the situation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa merits distinct consideration,” read the letter.

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CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa noted that the province holds a substantial gas surplus.

“As per available data, our province produces approximately 494 MMCFD of natural gas, while average consumption remains around 120MMCFD.

“The CNG sector requirement in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is approximately 36-40 MMCFD gas, which has been diverted to the fertiliser sector.”

Sohail warned that the decision of curtailment of gas to the CNG sector in KP has set the stage for widespread agitation and is “posing a serious threat to law-and- order situation in the province”.

The CM argued that the suspension of gas supply to the CNG sector violated Article 158 of the Constitution, which clearly states: “The province where a natural-gas wellhead is located has the first right to use the gas found in its territory.”

Furthermore, he referred to the recent ruling by the Peshawar High Court, which held that the halting of CNG stations’ operations under Section 144 CrPc is not justified, as it curtails lawful business guaranteed under Article 18 of the Constitution and affects thousands of employees.

The chief minister warned that given the transport sector’s heavy reliance on CNG and the need to avoid expensive alternative fuels, “it is extremely essential that 36 to 40 MMCFD gas supply to the CNG sector is restored in KP”.

The chief minister urged the premier to intervene in the matter and issue directions to the Petroleum Division to withdraw the decision of curtailment of gas to the CNG sector in KP or “call a meeting of the Council of Common Interest (CCI) at the earliest”.