DLP Report
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has written to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif seeking immediate federal intervention over the suspension of gas supply to the CNG sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that the continued curtailment is worsening public hardship and could impact law and order.
In his letter, the chief minister said the prolonged suspension of gas supply was increasing economic distress and forcing citizens to shift to costlier fuels, adding to inflationary pressures on already strained households.
He noted that KP produces around 494 MMCFD of natural gas against an average consumption of 120 MMCFD, yet the 36 to 40 MMCFD required for the CNG sector had been suspended and diverted to the fertilizer sector.
Mr Afridi said the transport sector in the province was heavily dependent on CNG, and the prolonged closure of stations was affecting livelihoods and commercial activity. He warned that continued suspension could trigger public frustration and disturb the law and order situation.
Referring to Article 158 of the Constitution, he said provinces had the first right over natural gas produced within their jurisdiction, and depriving Khyber Pakhtunkhwa of its share was inconsistent with constitutional provisions.
He also cited observations of the Peshawar High Court, which had previously termed the closure of CNG stations unjustified and granted interim relief.
The chief minister urged the prime minister to direct the Petroleum Division to immediately restore gas supply to the CNG sector and called for an urgent meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to resolve the matter in a constitutional and sustainable manner.
