Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi has urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to urgently resolve the issue of gas supply suspension to the CNG sector.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi stated that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces approximately 494 MMCFD of gas, while the CNG sector requires only 36 to 40 MMCFD.

He said that under Article 158 of the Constitution, the province that produces gas has the first right over its use, and therefore Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should not be deprived of its constitutional right.

The letter further mentioned that the Peshawar High Court has also declared the closure of CNG stations as unfair, while the gas suspension is expected to increase difficulties in the province and affect the livelihoods of thousands of people.

The Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa also requested the Prime Minister to convene a meeting of the Council of Common Interests (CCI).

Also Read : KP Governor Slams CNG Shutdown, Warns of Growing Public Hardships

It is worth noting that yesterday Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sohail Afridi met Governor Faisal Karim Kundi. During the meeting, Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that the closure of CNG in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is a violation of the Constitution and is severely affecting the poor segment of society. He added that wheat shortages and inflation are also creating difficulties for the public.

The Governor further stated that if Punjab provides transit access, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could obtain wheat from Sindh; however, due to lack of access, the province is forced to purchase wheat at higher prices. He also said that the Sindh government is willing to supply wheat to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.