CNG stations across the province would reopen today
DLP Report
ISLAMABAD
Adviser to the chief minister on finance Muzzammil Aslam on Wednesday said the federal government had agreed in principle to restore 35 MMCFD gas supply for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following consultations between the provincial and federal authorities.
Addressing a joint press conference alongside Governor KP Faisal Karim Kundi and opposition leader Dr Ibadullah, Mr Aslam said the development became possible due to the continuous efforts and contacts of Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi with the federal government.
He also thanked Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and opposition leader Dr Ibadullah for supporting the provincial government on what he described as a sensitive issue for the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Mr Aslam said Article 158 of the Constitution provided that natural gas should first be supplied to the province where it is produced, adding that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was the country’s largest gas-producing province.
He said gas supply was essential not only for domestic consumption but also for producing cheaper electricity and promoting industrial growth in the province.
The finance adviser said KP had the potential to become a major hub of oil and gas in the future and stressed the need for establishing industries in the province similar to those in other parts of the country.
He also called for greater allocation of funds for the merged districts during the federal budget process and demanded that the province be given the share of the former Fata in the NFC Award, terming it the province’s legitimate right.
Mr Aslam further alleged delays in the release of federal funds, saying that under the rules such funds should be released every three months. He claimed that Annual Investment Programme (AIP) funds meant for July 2025 were released only in April 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi announced that CNG stations across the province would reopen from Thursday (today) following the agreement on gas supply.
He said all political parties were united on resolving the province’s issues and emphasised that addressing public problems remained the top priority.
The governor said the provincial leadership had approached Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif regarding the issue and an understanding had been reached to provide 35 MMCFD gas to the province.
According to Mr Kundi, uninterrupted gas supply would be provided to CNG stations from 6am to 6pm.
He added that the federal and provincial governments were jointly working to resolve key issues facing the province and expressed hope that the wheat issue would also be resolved soon.
In a separate statement, the governor thanked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for constituting a committee to address the gas supply issue and welcomed the decision to restore 35 MMCFD gas to the province. He also appreciated the role of Prime Minister’s Adviser Rana Sanaullah and Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik in facilitating the negotiations.
