Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday has dissolved the board of directors of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL).
SNGPL board of directors consists 14 members, whereas, there were 11 members in the SNGPL board of directors.
Sources said that Prime Minister Imran Khan gave directions for stricter action against the gas suppliers, as the CNG crisis entered its fifth-day today disrupting public transport and leaving commuters in dividing line.
Disrupted gas supply was also reported in several residential and industrial areas across Karachi, making cooking a challenge for domestic consumers and halting production in factories.
As per details, a four-member committee will submit a report within 72 hours regarding interruption in gas supply. The Prime Minister has already ordered inquiry against managing directors of these two companies.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan directed an inquiry against Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) Managing Directors (MDs) of over current gas shortfall and low gas pressure in the country.
The Prime Minister ordered that the inquiry against the two gas companies to be completed within 72 hours and directed the minister for petroleum to submit a report of the inquiry.
Earlier Tuesday night, the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) suspended gas supply to CNG stations and captive power plants of all general industries.
The SSGC stated that they are facing low pressure of gas due to the technical fault at some of their gas fields.
Meanwhile, a decline in temperature in Quetta has increased the gas demand in the city. However, it is also affecting the natural gas supply. On the other side, to ensure the uninterrupted gas supply to commercial and domestic customers, SSGC is also ceasing gas supply to captive power plants and CNG sector till the further notice.
SSGC said that the industry will not suffer from the decision and will receive the normal gas supply.
Imtiaz Shaikh, Sindh Minister for Energy said that the decision to cease the gas supply to power plants by federal government will create industry crisis and unemployment.