The federal government and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) administration have successfully concluded negotiations to restore gas supply to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across the province. The breakthrough agreement, announced on Wednesday, addresses a simmering energy crisis that had prompted rare political unity among KP’s leadership.
Unified Political Front Forces Resolution
The resolution came just two days after KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Chief Minister Sohail Afridi set aside political differences to jointly criticize the federal government over the suspension of gas. Their unified demand for the immediate restoration of the CNG sector appears to have been a critical catalyst for the high-level talks.
Governor Kundi confirmed the development, describing it as a positive step towards addressing the province’s energy concerns. In a public statement, he expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for constituting a dedicated committee and taking a direct interest in the matter.
“This development reflects the strength of unified advocacy,” Governor Kundi stated. He commended both the provincial government and the opposition for standing together in defence of the people’s rights.
Operational Details and Supply Quotas
KP Chief Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Inter-Provincial Coordination, Muzzammil Aslam, confirmed that the federal government has approved the restoration of 35 mmcfd (million cubic feet per day) of gas to the province. Aslam credited the chief minister’s continuous engagement with federal authorities for resolving the issue and acknowledged the supportive roles played by Governor Kundi and Opposition Leader Dr. Ibadullah.
According to sources within the KP government, CNG stations will be permitted to operate on a restricted schedule, opening daily from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. following the resumption of supply. The decision was formalized during a high-level meeting attended by senior federal and provincial officials, including Federal Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, Rana Sanaullah, Governor Kundi, and SNGPL Managing Director Amer Tufail.
Wheat and Flour Transportation Barriers Lifted
In a parallel development addressing food security, the federal government directed the Punjab administration to immediately remove all obstacles hindering the transportation of wheat and flour to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The directive follows growing concerns over supply disruptions and artificial price hikes in the province.
During a separate high-level meeting chaired by Federal Minister for National Food Security Rana Tanveer Hussain, the KP chief secretary reported that he had repeatedly sought federal and Punjab government intervention to lift restrictions. The KP representative noted that the provincial government, opposition, and governor were united in demanding an uninterrupted supply of flour.
While Punjab’s food secretary maintained that no official restrictions had been imposed, the KP chief secretary challenged this by pointing to rising flour prices in the province. Minister Hussain subsequently directed authorities to clear all transportation hurdles immediately. KP Finance Adviser Aslam added that the Punjab government was reminded during the meeting that constitutionally, it cannot impose restrictions on the inter-provincial movement of wheat and flour.
