senate slams 20year

Senate slams 20-year delay in gas supply to Ghotki villages

ByJustpaste.in

Islamabad: The Senate Sub Committee on Petroleum has expressed serious concern over a delay of more than 20 years in providing gas to localities within five kilometers of Pakistan’s gas fields, highlighting administrative lapses despite directives from the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court. The Sub Committee, chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan Dharejo, called for accountability of the authorities responsible for failing to implement these binding instructions, particularly in Ghotki, one of the country’s major gas producing and densely populated districts.

During the session, MNA and subcommittee members reviewed the progress of gasification projects, noting that out of 57 villages identified in Ghotki, only 42 fall within the five kilometer radius of gas fields. Despite being included in earlier phases of the project in 2021, several schemes remain incomplete. Senator Haji Hidayatullah also raised concerns about ungasified localities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, emphasizing that many eligible areas were still awaiting service.

Officials informed the committee that approximately Rs670 million is required to complete gasification in Ghotki, while around Rs1 billion may be made available in phases. The funding will be released as a grant and not through the PSDP, with the Petroleum Ministry responsible for preparing a phased implementation mechanism. The committee instructed the Ministry to present a comprehensive plan within a week, detailing timelines, responsibilities, and funding strategies to ensure full compliance with Supreme Court orders.

The Sub Committee criticized inconsistent and potentially misleading information previously provided by the Director General (Gas), Petroleum Division. The matter has been referred to the Senate Committee on Privileges to ensure future information is accurate, complete, and supported by official records. Additionally, the absence of the OGRA Chairman, despite prior directions to attend, was strongly noted. The committee decided to inform the Cabinet Division and request his presence at the next meeting to provide viable solutions.

The Managing Director of SSGC briefed the committee that Rs480 million had been used in accordance with existing subsidy and tariff provisions, but emphasized the need for a structured, transparent mechanism to ensure funds reach the intended localities. The Sub Committee also requested the Attorney General for Pakistan to attend the next meeting to explain the legal implications of Supreme Court judgments on gas provision.

Senator Abro underscored that the directions of both the Prime Minister and the Supreme Court must be implemented “in letter and spirit,” warning that no further undue delay would be tolerated. The Sub Committee emphasized the importance of a fully funded, transparent, and time bound strategy to ensure that all eligible villages in Ghotki, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other regions within the five kilometer radius of gas fields receive gas access without further postponement.

The next meeting date and time will be announced separately, with expectations that all relevant stakeholders, including the OGRA Chairman, SNGPL representatives, and the Attorney General, will be present to finalize implementation plans.

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