LAHORE – Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has convened a meeting of the Council of Common Interest (CCI) on Tuesday to discuss the issue of gas supply to the industrial sector in Punjab.
Gilani made the decision after he discussed the gas supply issue with Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House on Sunday. Sources said both leaders discussed the current political situation, as well as matters pertaining to security and economic challenges faced by the country.
Shahbaz apprised the PM about the shortage of gas in Punjab, with the PM agreeing to resolve the issue amicably. Gilani said economic and security challenges needed to be curbed with joint efforts, adding that all political forces had a key role to play in this regard. He stated that all political forces would be taken along on all economic issues, like reformed GST, to maintain economic reconciliation.
Gilani said the resolution of economic and security issues should be a top priority of political parties. Shahbaz complained that the non-availability of gas had caused a serious setback to the industrial sector, due to which unemployment and poverty was increasing.
He said export orders of the industries were being cancelled and a number of industrial units had closed down. Shahbaz said that despite of repeated assurances by the federal government, the supply of gas to Punjab industrial sector had not been resumed.
