LARKANA: The Sindh High Court, Larkana circuit bench, on Monday issued a show-cause notice to the general manager (sales) of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) asking him to explain why the court order on gas supply to Junani Sharif village was not complied with.
The court also ordered him to appear before it on Sept 23 along with the senior general manager (distribution) at Karachi, and submit a comprehensive report on the steps taken to fulfill the assurance given to the court in this regard.
The bench, comprising Justice Riazat Ali Sahar and Justice Ali Haider Ada, was seized with a constitutional petition filed by Attaul Mustafa Qureshi, a resident of the village, situated in Warah taluka.
Petitioner’s counsel Advocate Sajid Hussain Mahesar submitted in court that despite the court’s order, the SSGC was not supplying gas to the village.
SHC Larkana bench had ordered supply of gas to a village; utility cites ban on new connections
The counsel for the gas company appeared in court and submitted its reply to maintain that due to a persisting ban on new gas connections, the supply to the entire village could not be made. “It is a policy matter, and funds are also not available,” he stated.
Responding to the reply, Advocate Mahesar argued that Sindh is the province that contributes 71 per cent of the country’s gas production, yet the people of Sindh have been deprived of this basic amenity. He contended that the Article 158 of the Constitution clearly states that the gas-producing region has the first right to the resource, and that priority must be given to domestic consumers, whereas the surplus gas should be allocated to industries. He argued that in violation of the Constitution, the local population and domestic consumers have been deprived of this basic facility, while a large share of the gas produced is instead being consumed by industries.
He further argued that restrictions and policies could not override fundamental constitutional rights, and that any policy in conflict with the Constitution should be regarded as null and void, since the Constitution is the supreme law.
He maintained that the policies violating the Constitution amounted to a punishable act. He noted that the court had earlier ordered that the village should be provided gas.
The court ordered the SSGC General Manager (Sales) Mohammad Riaz to appear in person at the next hearing along with the senior general manager (distribution) at Karachi and submit his reply.
It also called for a comprehensive report on the steps taken to fulfill the assurance given to the court.
Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2026
