PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and federal government have agreed to provide natural gas to all residents of the gas producing Karak district.

The decision was made in a meeting, which was attended by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Federal Minister for Energy Umar Ayub Khan. The meeting discussed issues related to gas and power sector.

According to a statement, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines was directed to devise a feasible work plan along with proper timelines to that effect. The SNGPL authorities were asked to fulfil all the commitments made with the people of Karak.

The meeting also decided to identify all illegal gas connections of local industries and devise a workable strategy in collaboration with local administration and elected representatives to regularise all those illegal connections and implement the strategy within minimum possible time period.

On this occasion, the authorities concerned were directed to take all necessary steps to make operational two dedicated police stations already notified for the security of gas pipelines and other installation in Karak by deputing the required security personnel.

The meeting was briefed about the progress made on the gas supply network in Karak and Hangu. It was told that work was in progress on a project worth Rs9.039 billion.

Regarding the electricity issues of Peshawar, it was agreed to make a huge investment to upgrade the transmission system to cater to the increasing need of the city. It was decided that efforts would be made to invest up to Rs20 billion in the current year to resolve all the electricity-related issues on sustainable basis.

The meeting decided that ministry of water and power would devise a plan to upgrade the existing infrastructure of the provincial capital and another meeting would be held during second week of September to finalise the plan by incorporating the recommendations and suggestions of the public representatives of Peshawar.

The Pesco authorities were directed to enhance capacity, improve recovery and enforcement mechanism to minimise line losses and expedite hiring process of required staff. It was decided that a monthly review meeting would be held in Peshawar with chief minister in the chair to review progress on all the decisions made in the meeting regarding gas and electricity issues.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2020