KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has said that the province produces 2,800 mmcfd gas out of which more than 1,000 mmcfd is diverted to other provinces by resorting to load-shedding in the industrial areas of Sindh.
“If 1,000 mmcfd gas of Sindh is not given to other provinces, the province can produce 5,000 MW of electricity from it at a rate of Rs8 per unit against Rs15 per unit which we are charged,” he said and added that this is unconstitutional and causes heavy financial losses to the people of the province.
The chief minister stated this on Thursday while presiding over a preparatory gathering for the meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) to be held in Islamabad on Friday. The meeting was attended by Special Assistant to CM on IPC Nawab Taimore Talpur, Chief Secretary Rizwan Memon, Advocate General Sindh Zamir Ghumro, Principal Secretary to CM Sohail Rajput, Energy Secretary Agha Wasif, Finance Secretary Hassan Naqvi, U&B Secretary Mohammad Hussain Syed, Labour Secretary Rasheed Solangi and others.
Giving a constitutional reference, Murad Ali Shah said that Article 158 of the constitution recognises precedence of first right of utilisation of gas by the gas producing province. But this right of people has been denied, Murad said and added that Sindh produces 2,800 mmcfd gas which should be used for generation of electricity and for domestic and industrial purposes by the people of the province.
“But out of 2,800 mmcfd, more than 1,000 mmcfd is given to other provinces,” the chief minister said.
He also said that there were thousands of villages in Sindh which did not have gas or electricity, and gas load-shedding is being resorted to in industrial areas of Sindh. The CM also said that this causes billions of rupees in loss to the province, therefore, the people of Sindh demand implementation of Article 158 in true letter and spirit. He added that the people of Sindh demand the federal government to let it use its gas, and for the purpose, a resolution would be presented in Sindh assembly.
He further stated that the natural gas produced from all new discoveries and old wellheads located in a province be allocated to the respective province. The province(s) deficient in gas production should meet their requirement by importing gas, RLNG, LPG etc., he added.
Murad also urged the federal government to announce province specific Gas Allocation and Management Policy (GA&MP).
The provincial government has prepared a draft Sindh GA&MP-2017.
Discussing drafty national water policy, the Chief Minister said that he would accept the new policy if observations of the provincial government are incorporated. He added that his observations include securing ‘katcha’ areas and economy thereof; to preserve delta area by providing sufficient supplies regularly; to make rainwater disposal arrangement in plains where it cannot be disposed of or diverted in the river.
Murad Ali Shah also said that the provinces are responsible for routine repair and maintenance of flood protection dukes, flood fighting and drainage, however, in case of a major catastrophe like 2010 floods, the funds should be provided by the federal government. He also added that National Surface Drainage shall be developed through consultation among the provinces for the handling of saline and toxic effluent.
Talking about provincial HEC, the chief minister said that the provincial government was of the view that federal HEC Ordinance 2002 may be amended and its application be made limited to federal territory only. The federal higher education division should be devolved and its functions, which now are the domain of the Sindh HEC, including regulations, planning and policy of higher education institutions and their functions and assets should be transferred to the provincial HEC, he added.
The CM proposed that the ministry of IPC should evolve a smooth transition mechanism in consultation with provinces for smooth devolution of existing physical and technical resources and assets of the federal HEC.