PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Monday sought Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s intervention on an ongoing CNG crisis in his province. warning that the shortage was setting the stage for “widespread agitiation” across KP.
The province has been affected by acompressed natural gas (CNG) crisissince April with several filling stations shut. millions of citizens struggling for affordable fuel. The situation has also negatively impacted the economic activity in the province.
KP CM Afridi drew PM Shehbaz’s attention to the matter in letter on Monday.
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. system constraints faced by the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL).
“While we fully appreciate that SNGPL is operating under a constrained supply environment. 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 KP CM wrote.
Moreover. he continued, “The CNG sector requirement in KP is approximately 36-40mmcfd of gas, which has 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. is posing a serious threat to the law and order situation in the province,” he warned.
Citing Article 158 of the Constitution of Pakistan. he said, “the province where a natural gas wellhead is located has the first right to use the gas found in its territory”.
He further recalled a Peshawar High Court (PHC) ruling on January 15. 2022, stated “that the halting of CNG stations’ 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 PHC has granted interim relief to the CNG Sector of KP,” he asserted.
The CM said that in view of “large-scale dependence of the transport sector” on CNG. in order to avoid “costly fuel and … most likely law and order issues, it is extremely essential that 36-40mmcfd gas supply to the CNG sector is restored in KP”.
“It is therefore earnestly desired that your honour intervenes in the matter. 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 (CCI) at the earliest and put it on the agenda of the CCI,” he appealed to PM Shehbaz.
Later in the day, CM Afridi. KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, along with opposition parties, held a joint press conference, decrying the “unfair treatment” being meted out to KP.
On the wheat issue. CM Afridi reiterated that Punjab’s restrictions on wheat movement violated Article 151 of the Constitution, which guarantees inter-provincial trade.
“We have sent multiple letters [.] however. despite the issue being brought to the attention of the Centre, the Punjab government has continued to restrict movement,” he said, adding that “the poorest in KP are buying the most expensive flour in the country”.
He maintained that despite “KP producing oil, gas,. electricity for the rest of the country, it was being politically discriminated against by the federal government“.
The chief minister also warned of the state’s “ failed policies”. had led to the resurgence of terrorism in the province. He warned that the people of KP will “bear the brunt of closed-door decisions”.
Terming the gas shortage “unconstitutional,”. vowing that the provincial government cannot stand for “illegal and unconstitutional decisions”, CM Afridi instructed his administration not to cooperate with the federal government in directives relating to the gas supply.
Kundi. speaking at the press conference, noted that despite KP producing 508 MMCFD of gas to meet the country’s needs, the federal government was failing to provide “even 30 to 40 per cent” of it to the province.
He further stated. “On one hand, the prime minister is announcing fuel conservation drives, so in the absence of petrol, what fuel alternative will people use except CNG?”
“This CNG is being used by taxi drivers, Suzukis,. vans,” he added, stressing that the government has “repeatedly contacted and urged the Centre to take action”.
On the wheat crisis. the governor questioned the state’s “silence”, urging PM Shehbaz to “pick up the pace in addressing KP’s issues,” highlighting that the province was already under strain due to its “frontline fight” against terrorism.
The development comes a day after the CM Afridi held a meeting with KP governor Kundi. during which the prolonged closure of CNG stations in the province was also discussed.
Speaking to the media after the meeting. Kundicalled onthe Centre to address KP’s issues, asserting that PM Shehbaz “should take interest” in the matter.
He spoke about KP’s issues during amedia talkon Friday as well, saying that he had raised the issue of the suspension of CNG supply. with the federal government, and alleged the Centre was treating the province unfairly.
Last week on May 10, Kundi hadmetwith PTI leaders. discussed KP’s constitutional and economic rights, stressing the need to present a firm case before the federal government to ensure “justice and fair treatment”.
For his part. since taking charge as the province’s chief executive in October 2025, CM Afridi has repeatedly accused the Centre of discrimination against KP.
He has accused the federal government of stalling the release of funds allocated to KP. particularly thosecommitted to the merged districtsunder the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award.
On May 5, he also announced apen-down strike, alleging that “the federal government is deliberately discriminating against the province in the NFC Award, electricity. gas.”
Addressing acabinet meetingon May 1. CM Afridi had said the loadshedding of gas in KP was a violation of Article 158 of the Constitution, which he highlighted in his letter to the PM as well.
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