PPP activists stage protest against prolonged gas suspension in Karachi
PPP leader Saeed Ghani and female party workers are staging a sit-in.
KARACHI (Dunya News) – Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) on Friday protested outside the press club in Karachi as the suspension of gas supply entered fifth day.
PPP leader Saeed Ghani and female party workers staged a sit-in with traders and CNG association.
The protesters raised slogans against the authorities and demanding immediate provision of gas and CNG.
Karachiites are suffering a serious transport crisis as majority of personal and public transport vehicles stayed off the roads.
Earlier on Thursday, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) had assured the resumption of the CNG supply within 24 hours but nothing such happened.
Taking notice of prevalent gas crisis in the country, Prime Minister Imran Khan dissolved the board of directors of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL).
A four-member committee will submit a report within 72 hours regarding interruption in gas supply. The Prime Minister has already ordered inquiry against managing directors of these two companies.
Petroleum Minister meets Sindh CM
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah during a meeting with Federal Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan in Karachi said that suspension of gas supply in the province has affected a large number of people and also caused unemployment.
The Chief Minister said that Sindh produces 2600 to 2700 million cubic feet gas per day while the quota the province receiving is one thousand to 1100 mmcfd.
He said that Karachi has 400 industrial units and over one million of work force that has been affected from the low supply of gas while CNG stations have also been closed.
He said that according to Article 158 of the Constitution, people of area where gas is produced have first right on it but here people of Sindh are most affected by the shortage of gas.
The Chief Minister asked the Federal Minister to lift the ban on providing new connections to domestic consumers in Karachi.
He was of the view that domestic consumers should get benefit of gas on priority. The Chief Minister also asked to give representation to Sindh in gas companies.
Speaking on the occasion, the Federal Minister for Petroleum termed the meeting as successful. He asked the Sindh Government to form a committee in this regard that will hold meetings with Petroleum Ministry to resolve the issue.
During the meeting, it was also decided to give representation to provinces in OGDCL, SSGC, SNGC and other gas companies.
