PM forms committee for inquiry against SSGCL, SNGPL MDs over gas shortfall
The two MDs are accused of 'withholding of information, incompetence to deal with operational issues'
December 12, 2018
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday ordered constitution of a fact-finding committee for an inquiry against managing directors (MDs) of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) over prevailing gas shortfall in the country.
The SSGCL announced late Tuesday it was discontinuing gas supply to CNG stations and captive power plants of all general industries for an “indefinite period of time.”
The gas supply company said it was facing acute shortage of gas and low pressure in the system.
However, the premier was briefed by officials that the two companies demonstrated incompetence and withheld information on demand and supply of gas.
"The committee is to conduct an inquiry against MD SNGPL and MD SSGCL. The report of the committee is to be submitted in 72 hours," read a notification issued by the Ministry of Energy's Petroleum Division.
"The committee may any expert witness to assist in its proceedings."
The committee, headed by Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Chairperson Uzma Adil Khan, comprises Qazi Saleem Siddiqui, Shahid Yousaf and Imran Ahmed.
The notification said the two top bosses of gas supply companies were accused of demonstrating "negligence in reporting of facts to the ministry or incompetence to deal with operational issues, withholding of information from the government and overall systematic governance failure SNGPL and SSGCL."
Commuters were left stranded in Karachi and other cities and towns across Sindh after transporters announced a strike earlier today to protest against halting of gas supply to CNG stations.
The SSGCL's decision to halt gas supply prompted a protest from CNG associations who had threatened to block Karachi’s main artery Shahrah-e-Faisal if supply was not resumed.
As the strike continues, the few buses plying the roads are charging passengers double the regular fare.
