KARACHI : Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, presiding over a meeting on gas shortage in Sindh has directed the provincial Energy department to prepare a `Sindh case’ under Article 158 of the constitution so that he could take it up with the federal government.
The meeting was attended by Minister Energy Imtiaz Shaikh, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Jamal Abro, Secretary Energy Tariq Shah.
The chief minister said the constitution of Pakistan guaranteed provision of natural gas to the people of the province from where it was being produced. “When the constitution guarantees how the federal government can deprive people of Sindh from the gas being produced from province,” he said.
Minister Energy briefing the chief minister said the federal government has formulated a defective policy under which natural gas was given to the other provinces at the cost of the people of Sindh. He added the domestic, industrial and commercial consumers of Sindh were suffering a lot, therefore the federal government must be apprised about the chronic situation.
Murad Ali Shah directed the energy department to prepare a proper detailed case of the issue, including total production of gas from Sindh, its distribution formula, total requirement of Sindh and net receiving.
It was observed gas being provided to the national units were being counted in the share of the province. “The industrial units which were producing fertilizer or electricity were operating for the whole of the country, therefore they should be counted separately,” the chief minister said.
The chief minister said that he would take up the matter with the federal government once the case was prepared. “Currently, not only the industrial consumers are upset with acute gas shortage but domestic consumers are suffering a lot- they don’t have gas to prepare food for their children,” he said.
Mazar Committee: Presiding over a meeting of `Mazar Committee’ to review arrangements of Shaheed Mohterma Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary to be observed on December 27 at Garhi Khuda Bux, Larkana, the chief minister directed IG police and divisional/district administration to make foolproof security and other arrangements. “This is an important and mega event for the party and the people of the country, therefore necessary facilities must be made accordingly,” he said.
The meeting was attended by senior advisor to CM Nisar Khuhro, provincial Ministers Nasir Shah and Sohail Anwar Siyal, IG Police Mushtaq Maher and PSCM Sajid jamal Abro. From Larkana MNA Khursheed Junejo, party leaders Jameel Soomro, Aijaz leghari, Commissioner and DIG, DC and SSP Larkana participated in the meeting through video link.
The chief minister said that the arrangements of the public meeting was being made by the party. “As far as the arrangements of security, traffic management and administrative measures were concerned the divisional and district administration must prepare its plan and share with him,” he said.
Murad Ali Shah said that this time the PDM leadership was also attending the death anniversary of Shaheed Mohterma Benazir Bhutto, therefore entry/exit for the PDM leadership to the mazar should be dedicated.
The IG police told the chief minister that a control room to monitor public meeting has been established at Garhi Khuda Bux. He said that traffic management guidelines have also been issued.
The party leaders, Nisar Khuhro, Sohail Siyal and Jameel Soomro briefed the chief minister about the arrangements they have made including provision of drinking water, washrooms facilities, parking lots, lighting arrangement and sound system. They said that walk through gates would be installed at seven entry and exit points of the venue.
It was also told to the chief minister that in the morning Quran Khwani for Shaheed Mohterma Benazir Bhutto would be held at the Mazar and then food would be distributed among the people.
The chief minister said that he would personally visit the mazar and review the arrangements personally.