KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Monday summoned the federal petroleum secretary for March 14 after it was informed that supply of natural gas to Sindh was being curtailed.

The managing director of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) submitted that on the instruction of the petroleum secretary, Sindh was being supplied 15 per cent less gas than its requirement to accommodate other provinces.

A two-judge bench headed by Justice Mohammad Karim Khan Agha took exception to such a statement and remarked as to how a secretary could go against a constitutional provision.

Justice Agha said according to Article 158 of the Constitution areas producing natural gas have the first right over it.

SSGC chief fears gas shortage in Karachi may continue in summer; court summons petroleum secretary

The SSGC chief submitted that letters had been sent to the ministry to provide gas to Sindh particularly its urban areas in the light of the constitutional provisions, but to no avail.

He said Karachi needed 158 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas and the shortage of natural gas would persist in the city in summer as well if the current supply remained the same.

The bench directed the secretary petroleum and director general of petroleum concessions (DGPC) to appear in court along with a report on the next date of hearing.

It also asked the federal finance secretary and provincial education secretary to appear in person and apprise the bench about approval of funds and establishment of educational institutions in the areas/villages located near gas fields.

The bench issued such directives while hearing a set of petitions regarding non-provision of gasification and welfare funds for the villagers located within five kilometres of each exploration and production (E&P) site despite Supreme Court’s directives issued in December 2013.

The bench said that on the last hearing, held around six months ago, it had noted that good progress had been made in the utilisation of E&P funds by the deputy commissioners for various projects.

However, it noted during the hearing on Monday that unfortunately, both the pace and quality and overall attentiveness to the work had declined.

It directed the focal person to ensure that all DCs concerned must carry out the required work expeditiously, diligently and in accordance with a reasonable budget for the benefit of the local community.

The bench also directed the DCs and focal person to appear in court on the next date along with updated progress reports.

Earlier, the bench had also issued a show-cause notice to the petroleum secretary for not complying with the court order.

On one of the previous hearings, the bench had noted that according to the SSGC, around 70 per cent of the country’s gas produced by Sindh and keeping in view the 18th Amendment to the Constitution, there should be no gas shortage in villages in Sindh as the main issue was of cost and not of availability.

Published in Dawn, February 15th, 2022