Politicking over gas strengthens parochial tendencies
The announcement by the federal government to allow new gas connections to strengthen the law makers of the PML-N and its allies has been widely criticised as this was done in the presence of a ban imposed in 2011 on such connections. The decision comes at a time when Sindh government has been denied the supply of gas needed to generate 100 MW at its Nooriabad power plant. This has caused tensions between Sindh and federal government. Article 158 of the constitution clearly and unambiguously states that “the Province in which a well-head of natural gas is situated shall have precedence over other parts of Pakistan in meeting the requirements from the well-head, subject to the commitments and obligations as on the commencing day”. The PML-N government is violating the provision in narrow party interests which can harm national unity. Nawaz Sharif is consequently being accused of acting as the Chief Minister of a province rather than the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
With the elections due next year, political rivalries are heating up. There is all the more need on the part of Prime Minster to ensure that nothing is done during the period which weakens national unity. Acrimonious statements by some of the PML-N leaders have led an otherwise dovish CM Sindh to raise the ante. Murad Ali Shah has warned that if Sindh’s concerns over gas distribution are not addressed by the end of the week, his government will cut off gas supply from Sindh to the rest of the country.
Delay in extension of Rangers’ powers is by no means unusual. But the issue should not become yet another cause of conflict between Sindh Government and Federal administration. Following the expiry of special policing powers in Sindh, the Rangers personnel deployed in all areas including sensitive points across the province have been summoned back to the headquarters in Karachi. Snap checking has come to an end. Sindh government must not allow law and order to deteriorate by unnecessary delay in extension of special powers.