PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to immediately intervene in the suspension of gas supply to the CNG sector in the province, warning that the decision could trigger widespread protests and lead to a law-and-order situation.
In a letter dated May 18, the chief minister said the Petroleum Division’s recent move to curtail gas supply to the CNG sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was attributed to LNG supply disruptions and operational constraints faced by Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL).
While acknowledging the challenges faced by the gas utility, the chief minister stressed that the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa required separate consideration due to the province’s gas production surplus.
He noted that KP produces around 494 MMCFD of natural gas against a consumption of approximately 120 MMCFD. He added that the CNG sector’s requirement of 36–40 MMCFD has reportedly been diverted to the fertiliser sector.
The chief minister warned that the suspension of gas supply to CNG stations could spark public unrest, stating that it was “posing a serious threat to law and order in the province,” particularly as the transport sector heavily depends on CNG as an affordable fuel alternative.
He further argued that the decision violates Article 158 of the Constitution, which gives the province where natural gas is produced the first right of use. He also referred to a recent ruling by the Peshawar High Court, which held that shutting down CNG operations under Section 144 of the CrPC is not justified, as it restricts lawful business activity protected under Article 18.
Sohail Afridi emphasized that restoring 36–40 MMCFD gas supply to the CNG sector is essential to prevent hardship for transport operators and thousands of associated workers.
He urged the prime minister to direct the Petroleum Division to reverse the decision or convene an urgent meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to resolve the matter.
