PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government announced suspension of gas supply to CNG stations across the province from January 20 to 31 to ensure smooth supply to domestic consumers.
However, the business community and transporters rejected the decision and described it as unilateral. The carriers warned that if the decision is not withdrawn they will increase the rate on intercity and intercity routes by 10 percent starting Monday (today).
The decision was taken under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, according to a notification issued here on Sunday with the signature of Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Abid Majeed.
It was reported that the start of the winter and cold season has been delayed and is still underway.
GNC Association rejects decision; Carriers threaten to increase rates.
and non-availability of natural gas to domestic consumers could lead to public unrest and law and order situation in the province.
The notification said that anyone violating the order will be prosecuted under section 188 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Meanwhile, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa All Pakistan GNC Association President Fazal Moqeem Khan rejected the decision and said it was a unilateral action taken by the provincial government.
He told this correspondent that the province had enough gas reserves to meet local needs, but even then the provincial government did not take a stance on the matter.
He said the decision violated Article 158 of the Constitution, because according to the law, a province with a natural gas wellhead would be preferred for the supply of gas to other parts of the country.
He said the province had sufficient gas reserves, but the government was the least bothered to raise its voice in favor of provincial rights.
Moqeem criticized political leaders for what he called not raising their voices on the matter.
He said that as most of the industrial units in the province had stopped production due to power and gas crises, closure of CNG stations would cause unemployment and financial problems to the people.
He said the provincial government raises empty slogans against the federal government but cannot take a firm stand against its “illogical” measures.
“We expected the provincial government to defend provincial rights but it did not do so,” he lamented. He said that due to the weak policies of the government the people were suffering.
Likewise, Urban Transport Union President Khan Zaman Afridi said gas supply remained suspended since January 15, but transporters did not overcharge passengers. He said passenger vehicles plying on roads within Peshawar and to other districts of the province were running on CNG.
“The leaders of the public transport unions will meet today (Monday) to decide the future line of action. We will definitely increase the price of transportation by 10 percent out of obligation, because we cannot afford the price of gasoline,” he stated.
However, residents of different localities complained about the gas outage and demanded that the relevant officials ensure smooth supply to domestic consumers. They said that despite the suspension of CNG supply to the stations, the supply to residential locations has not improved.
Published in Amanecer, January 20, 2025.
