Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has threatened to stage a protest on Mall Road along with the labourers unless what he calls a conspiracy to cause gas shortage in Punjab is foiled. He also claimed that he would unmask the conspirators who are stealing Punjabs share of the gas. That a person of no less stature than the Chief Minister of the province is making this complaint and is ready to protest on the roads shows that the situation is dire. There is a great degree of truth in his charge because as we see Punjab has been specially singled out for larger cuts than the rest of the provinces. On the other hand, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines has denied the possibility of a conspiracy to steal Punjabs share of gas. Given the circumstances, nothing short of a probe finding out the real cause and culprits would do. Gas load shedding has caused considerable damage to the industrial sector of the province and the situation has now reached alarming proportions. Though it cannot be denied that gas is in short supply because of peak season and there is a crisis all over the country, yet that does not mean that Punjab should be made to suffer. The economy is already in its death throes because of frequent industrial shutdowns. Unfortunately, it is a pity that though new reserves are thought to exist in different parts of the country, the government has simply been doing nothing to tap them to meet the growing demand. Reportedly, there are also deposits of natural gas in Punjab. The provincial government must pursue the matter seriously. Secondly, in the presence of scientists like Dr Samar Mubarakmand who have the expertise to convert these reserves into usable energy, the tendency of relying on foreign companies for mining and exploration work should be discouraged. The foreign companies set their own terms which are exploitative. Meanwhile, Mian Shahbaz has done well to convey that he would not silently watch his province take all the damage.