Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) General Manager (GM) Arbab Saqib has said that to end gas pressure had been increased more than the gas infrastructure was designed for on the demand of the district administration and the police in order to end the ongoing protests in a peaceful manner, but that this is not a durable solution to the problem of low pressure.
He said that the administration and police should act on registered first information reports (FIRs) against illegal consumers of gas in Karak and Banda Daud Shah areas, accompanied by SNGPL staff to disconnect the illegal connections.
“The low pressure issue has occurred due to leaking pipes and illegal connections which have not only caused a huge loss to the government exchequer but are also affecting legal consumers”, the GM remarked.
Arbab Saqib said that as per the agreement between the provincial government and SNGPL, phase one of a pilot project is ready and awaiting funds to begin work. The GM has also demanded the police and district administration to take action against those who tempered the Kohat-D I Khan Sui-gas transmission line. He also demanded actions against illegal connections in industrial and commercial areas of Karak, Hangu, and adjacent areas. He further said that after the elimination of illegal connections, the low pressure issue could be resolved.
For the last couple of days, residents of Banda Daud Shah and surrounding areas had laid siege to the Mol gas plant in protest. Residents of Karak also began a protest and blocked the Indus Highway. To end the protests peacefully, SNGPL has temporarily increased gas pressure.
