KARACHI - Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh on Friday said that there was acute shortage of gas in the province as it was getting about 900 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) against its requirement of 1,700 MMCFD.
Replying to a call attention notice moved by Nand Kumar Goklani of Grand Democratic Alliace (GDA) in the Sindh Assembly, Shaikh reiterated that Sindh had first right on gas produced in the province. He said Sindh produced 64 percent of total gas and its people had the first right on it. 
“Karachi is revenue hub of Pakistan and contributes major chunk to the country’s economy but the city is targeted by the federal government. Due to shortage of gas, industries were closed down,” he added.
Coming down hard on the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led federal government, Shaikh said that energy crises got worsened from the day PTI came into power.
“Due to ill planning and incompetence of the Centre, we are facing load-shedding of electricity and gas as there is energy crises too besides the economic crises in the country,” the minister added.
He said that Sindh government had raised voiced against the ‘injustice’ at every forum, adding that Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah always spoke for the province’s rights in the Council of Common Interest (CCI). Shaikh also criticised the GDA—the ally of federal government—for ‘not’ raising voice for the people of Sindh at the Centre. “A GDA member pointed out the issue in Sindh Assembly but why doesn’t he ask his party’s federal minister who is also a member of CCI to represent the province case,” he added.
Shaikh was of the view that even after the 18th constitutional amendment, Sindh province was not allowed to work independently on energy sector. The minister was of the opinion that Sindh had potential to resolve energy crises of the country by generating power at cheap prices. Earlier, Nand Kumar Goklani maintained that Sindh had first right in a gas generated from the province. “Major chunk of gas is produced by Sindh yet its people are deprived of the basis necessity due incompetence of the officials,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Assembly also adopted an adjournment motion moved Shaheena Sher Ali on identical matter and two-hour discussion was fixed for Monday.
PTI boycotts
The lawmakers belonging to PTI did not turn up to attend the Friday’s sitting as a protest against suspension of their eight members by the Speaker for ‘violation’ of the Assembly’s sanctity. PTI MPA and Leader of Opposition Haleem Adil Sheikh said that his party would not attend any sitting until ban on its members was lifted.
Legislation
Separately, the house unanimously passed ‘The Sindh Employees Social Security (Amendment) Bill, 2021’ paving the way for all labourers to get Benazir Mazdoor Card. “In order to provide social security to all workers or self-employed in any establishment and to issue all workers Mazdoor Card, it is expedient to amend the existing law,” the statement of objects and reasons of the bill read.
The Assembly also passed ‘The Sindh Terms of Employment (Standing Orders) (Amendment) Bill, 2021’; The Ziauddin University Examination Board (Amendment) Bill, 2021; and The Ziauddin University (Amendment) Bill, 2021.
Quota for minorities
Earlier during Question Hour, Minorities Affairs Minister Hari Ram Lal said that five percent quota for minorities was implemented in all the departments. Besides minorities’ quota, fixed number of jobs for disabled persons as well women were provided to the deserving people.
He said that 98 appointments were made in minorities affairs department of which 24 were made from minorities which was above 24 percent.