CM Afridi seeks PM's intervention on CNG crisis in KP, warns of possible 'widespread agitation'

PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday sought Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intervention on an ongoing CNG crisis in his province, warning that the shortage was setting the stage for “widespread agitiation” across KP.

The province has been affected by a compressed natural gas (CNG) crisis since April with several filling stations shut and millions of citizens struggling for affordable fuel. The situation has also negatively impacted the economic activity in the province.

KP CM Afridi drew PM Shehbaz’s attention to the matter in letter on Monday.

The letter, seen by Dawn, stated: “I wish to draw your kind attention to the recent decision of the Petroleum Division regarding the curtailment of gas supply to the CNG sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reportedly due to liquified natural gas (LNG) supply disruptions and system constraints faced by the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL).

“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.”

He pointed out that KP had “a substantial gas surplus”.

“As per available data, our province produces approximately 494mmcfd of natural gas while average consumption remains around 120mmcfd,” the KP CM wrote.

Moreover, he continued, “The CNG sector requirement in KP is approximately 36-40mmcfd of gas, which has been diverted to the fertiliser sector.”

“The decision of curtailing gas [supply] to the CNG sector in KP has set the stage for widespread agitation and is posing a serious threat to the law and order situation in the province,” he warned.

Citing Article 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan, he said, “the province where a natural gas wellhead is located has the first right to use the gas found in its territory”.

He further recalled a Peshawar High Court (PHC) ruling on January 15, 2022, stated “that the halting of CNG stations’ operations under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) is not justified, as it curtails lawful business guaranteed under Article 18 of the Constitution, affecting thousands of employees”.

“The PHC has granted interim relief to the CNG Sector of KP,” he asserted.

The CM said that in view of “large-scale dependence of the transport sector” on CNG and in order to avoid “costly fuel and … most likely law and order issues, it is extremely essential that 36-40mmcfd gas supply to the CNG sector is restored in KP”.

“It is therefore earnestly desired that your honour intervenes in the matter and issues 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 and put it on the agenda of the CCI,” he appealed to PM Shehbaz.