• CM Afridi accuses Punjab of ‘mistreating’ province
• Kundi in contact with Centre for resolution of KP’s problems
• Dr Ibadullah stands with PTI govt for resolution of issues

PESHAWAR: In a rare show of unity, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and opposition on Monday joined hands over wheat and CNG crises in the province and demanded of the federal government to resume wheat supply and withdraw its orders for the closure of CNG stations in the province.

Addressing a news conference here, Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, who was also joined by Governor Faisal Karim Kundi and Leader of the Opposition in the KP Assembly Dr Ibadullah, said KP was the largest shareholder in the local gas production but was “mistreated”.

He said that KP produced over 508mmcfd gas and consumed only 150mmcfd but despite being the largest shareholder in gas production, CNG stations were closed in the province in an act of injustice towards residents.

Mr Afridi said under Article 158 of the Constitution, his province had the first right to use the gas found in its territory, while under Article 151 of the Constitution, no province in the country could suspend food supply to others.

“The Constitution is clear and has no bar on wheat transportation in the country but Punjab has been constantly mistreating KP on this matter though several letters were written to it about the violation of the Constitution,” he said.

The CM also complained that though information was shared with the federal government, nobody asked Punjab about suspension of wheat supply, so the act damaged national unity.

“KP residents have no option but to buy wheat flour at higher rates,” he said.

The chief minister also said that the policies, which were made on decisions taken behind closed doors, had failed, leading to the worsening of the law and order situation in KP.

He added that the powers that be would soon blame the KP government and bureaucracy for those “failed policies”.

“You are compelling KP residents to take a decision about that conduct. Why will they follow the law after learning that you are not following the same?”

Mr Afridi directed the provincial administration “not to cooperate with the federal government on directives issued regarding gas supply”.

On the occasion, Governor Kundi complained that apart from gas and wheat supply issues, KP had yet to receive its share of water as decided in 1991 as well.

He said that if KP received its due share in water resources, it would become self-sufficient in food production and would never have to look to any other province for wheat supply.

Mr Kundi said that his office was in contact with the federal government over the issues facing KP.

“The ‘big brother’ should consider the problems faced by KP, including its poor financial condition and those related to the anti-terror fight as the frontline region,” he said.

Leader of the opposition Dr Ibadullah said that the opposition stood with the government for the resolution of problems the province was confronted with.

“We [joint opposition] support the PTI government on these issues,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Afridi sought Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intervention on an ongoing CNG crisis in KP, warning that the shortage is setting the stage for “widespread agitation” across the province.

He insisted that the province had been badly hit by the CNG crisis since April with several filling stations shut and millions of citizens struggling for affordable fuel.

The CM also said the situation had negatively impacted the economic activity in the province.

The letter stated: “I wish to draw your kind attention to the recent decision of the Petroleum Division regarding the curtailment of gas supply to the CNG sector in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, reportedly due to liquified natural gas (LNG) supply disruptions and system constraints faced by the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL).

“While we fully appreciate that SNGPL is operating under a constrained supply environment and must manage line pack pressures, the situation of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa merits distinct consideration.” The CM pointed out that KP had ‘a substantial gas surplus’.

“As per available data, our province produces approximately 494mmcfd of natural gas while average consumption remains around 120mmcfd,” the CM said.

He added that the CNG sector requirements in KP was 36-40mmcfd of gas, which had been diverted to the fertiliser sector.”

“The decision of curtailing gas [supply] to the CNG sector in KP has set the stage for widespread agitation and is posing a serious threat to the law and order situation in the province,” he warned.

The CM further recalled a Peshawar High Court ruling on January 15, 2022, saying the halting of CNG station operations under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) is not justified, as it curtails lawful business guaranteed under Article 18 of the Constitution, affecting thousands of employees.

“The Peshawar High Court has granted interim relief to the CNG sector of KP,” he said.

The CM said that in view of ‘large-scale dependence of the transport sector’ on CNG and in order to avoid costly fuel and … most likely law and order issues, it was extremely essential that 36-40mmcfd gas supply to the CNG sector was restored in KP.

“It is earnestly desired that your honour [PM Shehbaz] intervenes in the matter and issues directions to the Petroleum Division to withdraw the decision of curtailment of gas to the CNG sector in KP or call a meeting of the Council of Common Interest at the earliest and put it on the agenda of the CCI,” he said.

Published in Dawn, May 19th, 2026