Islamabad: Sindh which is irked by Punjab’s usage of its produced gas is considering legal action by filing a complaint in the Supreme Court.
A senior government official said that Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah had discussed about this specific matter with the federal government and highlighted the requirement of implementing Article-158 of the constitution reported a local newspaper.
Shah decried that Article 158 was specifically clear in its language and outlined the right of usage of the province to gas discovered within its jurisdiction, a stand supported by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.
He added, if the issue remains unresolved, provinces will be forced to take the matter to courts. During a recent meeting, it had been suggested that the matter should be put before the Council of Common Interests (CCI).
Anyhow, Punjab’s finance minister was off the view that legal opinion should be sought before the issue is brought forth to the CCI.
If deadlock persists, then the issue should be designated to a joint sitting of parliament for resolution, and filing a court appeal should be considered as the last option.
Currently, Punjab only produces 4pc of its own gas and is a net importer in other terms. Sindh produces the highest amount of gas of 69pc, Balochistan 17pc and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 10pc share.
Sindh consumes 45pc of the gas it produces, KP and Balochistan utilize 7pc respectively.
Punjab remains a major gas consumer courtesy of supply from other provinces, but CNG stations, industrial units and fertilizers plants have been switched to imported liquefied natural gas due to growing deficit between supply and demand.
