A parliamentary panel has directed the Ministry of Finance and the Planning Division to explain non-utilization of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) funds for supply of gas in gas producing districts of KP. The Senate Sub-Committee on Energy, which met on Friday, questioned the utilization of Prime Minister's discretionary funds for gas schemes from SDG funds, ignoring the gas producing districts of Bannu and Hangu. Convener Committee Nisar Muhammad Khan presided over the meeting. The committee reviewed SDGs funds which the committee alleged are being used as PM's discretionary funds in some special constituencies.
Referring to recent decision of the government to provide gas facility to consumers within five kilometers of gas producing districts on priority basis, the convener committee directed the Petroleum Division to ensure supply of gas to locals of gas producing Karak and Hangu districts. In his remarks, he said it is crime to get illegal gas connections but the government has to fulfill its commitment. "Gas producing districts are deprived of gas and the government is utilizing SDG funds for supplying gas connections to selective constituencies of Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) lawmakers," he added.
Member Committee Baz Khan alleged that businessmen came from other parts of the country are enjoying illegal industrial connections in Karak. He recommended the committee to direct local administration to take strict action against them. The committee was informed that Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) has registered 150 FIRs against the accused of illegal gas connections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Saqib Arbab, General Manager Gas, informed the parliamentary panel that percentage of gas theft was very high in KP. He said that the gas company has recorded 49 percent of gas theft cases in Hangu district. He maintained that illegal gas connections in Gargari were 98 percent. The theft cases in Karak are significantly very high as the percentage of such cases is 82 percent.
He said that Rs 2.8 billion are approved to the gas company under GDS funds but the allocated amount has yet to be released. He further informed the committee that total cost of the gas pipeline project for union councils of Hangu was Rs 509 million. Out of total amount, provincial government of KP would provide a matching grant of Rs 480 million for the project. He said pipeline of 12 inches was laid which will be extended to Tal. The committee has convened next meeting in DG Gas office. The officials of Ministry of Finance and Planning Division along with district administrations and gas companies' representatives will attend the meeting.