Gas load shedding: Punjab industrialists to challenge PHC decision

The Punjab-based industrialists have decided to challenge in the Supreme Court of Pakistan the decision of Peshawar High Court wherein it declared that gas consumers in Khyber Pakhtunkhaw have the prime right under Article 158 of the Constitution.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Peshawar High Court had accepted the Lucky Cement petition in December, 2010 seeking pre-emption in gas consumption under Article 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan, the sources told Business Recorder here Saturday.
The court had also upheld similar plea of 28 businessmen and industrialists including the Sarhad Chamber of Commerce and Industry and All Pakistan CNG Association wherein it was declared that the Khyber Pakhtunkhaw gas consumers have the prime right and directed the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines to ensure uninterrupted supply to them.
The industrialists/owners of the textile, textile spinning, dyeing, chemical, printing and food processing in Lahore, Gujranwala and Faisalabad have planned to challenge the decision as an individual, maybe on Monday, February 7, in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
The industrialists are of the view that Article 158 is confronting to the fundamental rights as well as Article 4 and 18 of the Constitution of Pakistan. According to them, the industry in Punjab would not be able to compete even within the country if gas supply is suspended for 125 days in a year.
The former president of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Anjum Nisar, is playing a leading role to unite the industrialists across the province on the issue.
Talking to Business Recorder, he said the industries in Punjab are likely to face bankruptcy, as the financial cost of the banks' loans is no more unaffordable, particularly when industry is closed for 125 days in a year. He said that a fair distribution system regarding utilisation of natural resources should be adopted.
He said that the industry in Punjab is facing worst ever problem because of shortage of gas and electricity. A number of industries have already been closed while remaining are heading towards the forced closure due to energy crisis, he said, adding that it would further increase unemployment which in turn could aggravate the law and order situation in the country.
"We all are living in the same country and thus need to be treated equally" he said. He added that decline in production of exportable goods including textile and leather would adversely impact the foreign exchange earnings. As far as use of alternative energy is concerned, the goods would not be competitive within the country and what to talk about the international market, he maintained. He urged the federal government to take serious note of the situation so that the country's economy could get out of the problems.