KP CNG Crisis Deepens As CM Afridi Seeks PM Intervention
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has formally asked Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to intervene in the province’s worsening CNG crisis, warning that prolonged disruption in gas supply could trigger widespread public unrest. The appeal was made through a letter sent on Monday as transporters, filling station owners and commuters continue to face pressure from the shortage.
The crisis has affected KP since April, with many compressed natural gas stations either shut or operating under severe restrictions. The disruption has hit millions of citizens who depend on CNG as a relatively affordable fuel option, while business activity linked to transport and fuel retail has also slowed.
In his letter, the chief minister challenged the Petroleum Division’s decision to curtail gas supply to the CNG sector in KP. The move was reportedly linked to LNG supply disruptions and system constraints faced by Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, but the provincial government argues that KP’s own gas production makes its case different from other regions.
Afridi told the prime minister that the province produces about 494 million cubic feet of gas per day, while its average consumption is around 120 million cubic feet per day. He maintained that the KP CNG sector requires only 36 to 40 million cubic feet per day, but that supply has been diverted elsewhere, including to the fertiliser sector.
The chief minister warned that shutting down gas supply to CNG stations could create a serious law-and-order challenge because thousands of livelihoods and a large part of the transport network depend on the fuel. He also referred to Article 158 of the Constitution, which gives priority rights to the province where natural gas is produced.
Afridi further cited a Peshawar High Court decision from January 2022, arguing that suspending CNG stations through executive restrictions affects lawful business activity and employment. He said that the CNG sector had already received interim relief from the court, strengthening the province’s argument for restoration of supply.
The development follows a meeting between Afridi and KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, where the prolonged closure of CNG stations was also discussed. Kundi has separately urged the federal government to pay attention to KP’s grievances, saying the province’s concerns over gas, finances and economic rights must be addressed seriously.
The issue also fits into a broader dispute between the KP government and the Centre. Since taking office, Afridi has repeatedly accused the federal government of treating the province unfairly in matters linked to gas, electricity, development funds and allocations for the merged tribal districts.
For Pakistan, the dispute is important because energy shortages quickly translate into political tension, higher transport costs and pressure on ordinary consumers. In KP, where CNG remains a key fuel source for public transport and small businesses, the supply cut has direct consequences for daily mobility, employment and market activity.
The next step now rests with the federal government, which may either order the Petroleum Division to review the curtailment decision or place the matter before the Council of Common Interests. If the issue is not resolved soon, KP authorities have warned that public anger may grow, raising the risk of protests and further friction between the province and the Centre.