PESHAWAR: The provincial chapter of All Pakistan CNG Association has demanded of the federal government to ensure smooth supply of natural gas to consumers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under Article 158 of Constitution.

Addressing the ‘Mulaqat’ programme of Khyber Union of Journalists at Peshawar Press Club on Thursday, provincial chairman of the association Fazal Muqeem Khan said there was no shortage of natural gas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but the federal government was violating Article 158 of the Constitution by not fulfilling needs of the province on priority basis.

He said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lacked proper leadership to raise voice for its constitutional rights and overcome the shortage and theft of natural gas in the province. He said that under the Constitution, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had the right to use natural resources on priority basis but federal government was not allowing them to avail the facilities.

“We can say that there is no leadership in our province to solve the basic problems. I believe there will be no gas shortage if the authority of Bannu gas is given to our province,” said Mr Khan. He alleged that the gas meant for KP was supplied to Punjab illegally. He said that it was government’s duty to ensure smooth gas supply to consumers.

Referring to the closure of CNG stations for one month in January, he said that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was producing more gas than consumption. “Under the law, there should be no shortage of gas as every province has first right over its natural resources. KP must be exempted from gas loadshedding instead of closing filling stations to meet domestic demands,” he added.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2023