KARACHI: Sindh Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said that Sindh is currently largest gas producing province with total production of 1800 mmcfd to 2000 mmcfd (MMCFD) in country-65 percent of total gas production. Currently, 900 mmcfd gas is being supplied to Sindh while requirement is 1600 mmcfd gas.

Under Article 158 of Constitution, first right of province from which gas is extracted is right of person who is not being implemented and people of Sindh province are facing shortage of gas. Presiding over meeting of Directorate of Oil and Gas, Secretary Energy Mossadiq Ahmad Khan, Chairman District Council Sukkur Syed Kamil Haider Shah, Director Oil and Gas Khadim Hussain and Aamir Mujbata were present, he  was told according to Article 172(3) of Constitution, mineral oil and natural gas should be distributed equally between federation and provinces and under same article, there should be representation of Sindh in board of directors of as many companies related to oil and gas organised by federation as PSO, PPL, OGDCL, OGRA, Sui Southern Gas etc. Despite repeated efforts, representatives of Sindh have not been included. It was further informed in meeting that interim government allowed sale of 35 percent of natural gas to third party and approved TIGHT gas policy 2024, which was not their authority.

Apart from this, Centre is going to introduce new LNG policy on which Sindh government has serious concerns. Minister said that representation of Sindh should be included in board of directors of oil and gas related companies under federation. He will talk to federal government for implementation of Article 158 and Article 172(3) of Constitution and demand that it be implemented as soon as possible, which is in interests of provinces and people. He directed steps should be taken on solid basis to increase revenue in oil and gas sector. He said that consumers of Sindh province are our first priority regarding gas.