PESHAWAR: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Wednesday warned of launching a province-wide protest campaign if compressed natural gas (CNG) supply was not restored within three days, urging the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to issue an immediate executive order.

Addressing a press conference at Peshawar Press Club, JI KP Central Ameer Abdul Wasi, flanked by provincial general secretary Sabir Hussain Awan and district ameer Bahrullah Khan advocate, criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) provincial government for what he termed “inaction” over the prolonged closure of the CNG sector.

Mr Wasi said more than 600 CNG stations had remained shut for the past two months, causing an estimated daily loss of Rs6 billion to the national exchequer. He added that the shutdown had not only deprived the government of significant tax revenue but also affected hundreds of thousands of people associated with the sector.

He said around 500,000 vehicles including taxis, rickshaws, buses, coaches and trucks relied on CNG, while approximately 550,000 families dependent on the sector were facing severe financial hardship due to unemployment and business closures.

Citing constitutional provisions, Mr Wasi demanded that the province be given its due share of natural resources under Article 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which grants priority to provinces over the use of gas produced within their territory. He claimed that despite producing around 550 mmcfd of gas against a requirement of 120 mmcfd, the province was being denied its right.

The JI leader also criticised the government’s handling of the education sector, alleging that financial mismanagement had led to delays in salaries of teaching and non-teaching staff at the University of Peshawar. He called for immediate release of funds to ensure payment of outstanding salaries and restoration of academic activities.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2026