Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain has admitted that the gas crisis in Punjab was because of political reasons. What could be those reasons, he did not elaborate but it is obvious that the longstanding grouse about the province being deliberately given less than its share of electricity appears to have substance. Creating negative public opinion in order to impinge upon the prospects of the party in power in the province could be one reason.
Punjab has a large population and besides it has become the hub of industry given how frightened merchants and entrepreneurs from lawless areas have found in Punjab a safe place to do business. Their quandary beggars’ description; there they had no security and here the blackouts are forcing them to close their business. Despite these circumstances, the gas supply has been progressively decreased, in fact, not even the allocated share is given. Now that the federal minister has talked about political reasons, the injustice ought to come to an end. His promise that the textile industry would be given six-hours supply daily recalls the assurances held out by Prime Minister Raja Ashraf that was never honoured. Leaders have to be broadminded; whatever the political motivations for depriving Punjab of its right, these have to be overcome in the larger interest of the country.