KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presiding over a meeting on gas shortage in Sindh on Wednesday directed the provincial energy department to prepare a ‘Sindh case’ under Article 158 of the Constitution so that he could take it up with the federal government.

The meeting was attended by Energy Minister Imtiaz Sheikh, principal secretary to CM Sajid Jamal Abro and energy secretary Tariq Shah.

The chief minister said that Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed provision of natural gas to the people of the province from where it was being produced.

The energy minister briefing the chief minister said that the federal government had formulated a “defective” policy under which natural gas was given to other provinces at the cost of the people of Sindh.

He said that the domestic, industrial and commercial consumers of the province were suffering a lot, therefore, the federal government must be apprised of the grave situation.

Murad Ali Shah directed the energy department to prepare a proper detailed case, including total production of gas from Sindh, its distribution formula, total requirement of the province and net receiving.

It was observed that the gas being provided to the national units was being counted in the share of the province.

The chief minister said: “The industrial units producing fertilizer or electricity are operating for the whole of the country, therefore, they should be counted separately.”

Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary arrangements

Presiding over a meeting of Mazar Committee to review arrangements of Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary to be observed on Dec 27 at Garhi Khuda Bux, Larkana, the chief minister directed the provincial police chief and divisional/district administration to make foolproof security and other arrangements.

“This is an important and mega event for the party and the people of the country, therefore necessary facilities must be made accordingly,” he said.

“As far as the arrangements of security, traffic management and administrative measures were concerned the divisional and district administration must prepare its plan and share with him,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2020