Worst situation of Gas Supply in Punjab

LAHORE: Gas crisis worsened in Punjab on Sunday after the shortfall surged to 400MMCFD, forcing the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) to divert to the domestic sector a supply of about 275MMCFD, out of over 400MMCFD liquefied natural gas (LNG) meant for the industrial, power and CNG sectors.

Although the situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is not as dire as in Punjab, consumers have started complaining about low gas pressure there as well.

The SNGPL clai­med to have launched a campaign against those using compressors to extract gas in parts of Punjab and KP, causing low gas pressure.

At present, the company supplies around 1,400 to 1,500MMCFD to the domestic sector, which needs supplies ranging between 1,800 and 1,900MMCFD to meet the demand of about five million consumers in Punjab and KP.
LNG supply to industrial, power and CNG sectors cut to meet domestic demand

“Following severe cold, the situation appears to be tough these days. The shortfall has surged to 400MMCFD amid a demand of 1,800-1,900MMCFD, even though we have curtailed LNG supply to two major fertiliser plants, as many power plants and the CNG sector, and diverted it to the domestic sector,” SNGPL managing director Amjad Latif told Dawn.

The fertiliser plants — Fatima Fertiliser (Pvt) in Sheikhupura and Pak Arab Fertilisers (Pvt) in Multan — consume 90 to 100MMCFD of gas.

Likewise, gas supply to the Rousch Power Plant, the Abdul Hakim Power Plant (in Kabirwala and Khanewal respectively) and the Libe­rty Power Plant, in Mirpur Mathelo, has been suspen­ded for an indefinite period.

“The Rousch Power Plant was being supplied 90 to 95MMCFD while Liberty consumes 40 to 45MMCFD... However, the supply to Liberty Power Plant has been curtailed on account of non-payment of bills... and not for overcoming the gas crisis,” the MD said.

He said the supply to other industries, including textiles, continued. The textile sector and other industries that have switched over to LNG are being supplied 100 to 150MMCFD.

But the supply to different industrial units in Punjab, which have not shifted to LNG despite repeated reque­sts, was curtailed last month.

“The situation is really problematic these days and we are trying hard to ensure gas supply to at least domestic consumers during winter,” Mr Latif said.

To a question, he said the use of compressor by some consumers to extract gas was a headache for the company as it made it difficult to keep pressure. During the last 30 days or so, over 3,000 consumers in Punjab and KP have been caught red-han­ded for using compressors.

The SNGPL has cut connection of such consumers for three months.

“Keeping in view the situation, we have asked the federal government to amend the laws and provide judicial powers to the SNGPL to enable it to take stern legal action agai­nst those using compressors to extract gas,” the MD said.

After curtailment of gas supply, power generation of over 600MW by the plants (400 by Rousch and 235 by Liberty) has been stopped, leading to an increase in the electricity shortfall and enhancing loadshedding hours in parts of the country.

Source: The Dawn News

Moonis Elahi and Pervaiz Elahi blames Shahbaz for gas, power crisis in Punjab

Nawaz Sharif Becoming Worse Than a Dictator

During the era of PMLQ government, the leaders Moonis Elahi, Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had ended the draconian law where prime minister vested the power to sack the heads of Public Sector Entities (PSE's) without any warnings. It was a rule widely practiced by the older PMLN and the slain Benazir Bhutto of PPP. The power to sack any head of the public sector was to simply terrorize them to obey any order issued by the government no matter how harmful it may be for the nation at large. 

Using the power before, Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto (late) had created unrest in the country and both were on a looting spree unstoppable by any state department. Moonis Elahi, a member of the parliament and son of former CM Punjab Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has expressed deep concern over the powers Nawaz Sharif now possesses. The N League government has silently restored the 3 decades old power where the Prime Minister would sack PSE's heads without any reasoning. He said the misuse of this power is the reason why we see the Panama Gate scandal today. 

Had there been any head of state powerful enough to question him then, the flight of money which has now become a national issue would not have happened. Now Nawaz Sharif has become powerful once again and it is sign of increased corruption in future. Moonis Elahi shed light on one incident last year when SNGPL Chief Executive Arif Hameed was sent home packing without any previous notice. 

He was laid off his duties unceremoniously because he refused to sign agreements related to imports of LNG and its sale as it was not in the interest of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited. Nawaz Sharif has become a dictator and doesn't take no for an answer. He only thinks about personal interests and not for the national cause. Honest government officers are finding it hard to work under his rule and the ones who resist are sacked without any notice.

PMLQ's young political leader Moonis Elahi is deeply concerned about the trends being set by the incumbent government. The negative trends will leave a mark for centuries to remove and the ill practice of using force over government institutions for personal gains will pave path for corrupt people to come in power. Our country will be destabilized very easily once we have corrupt people at the top looting the country without resistance. It will be hard for future politicians to weed out the corrupt practices PMLN is rooting today. We as a nation must stand against these practices today to save our future and the future of Pakistan.