Daily Times Editorial 24 December 2019

Gas shortfall

It is the peak of winter and, as usual, there is the traditional gas shortage. Just like the summer peak time is celebrated with unannounced electricity load shedding. The drop in temperature has brought a total of 600 million metric cubic feet a day (MMCFD) gas shortfall, forcing gas companies – Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) – to limit the supply to sectors only to meet domestic consumer demands. Other than industries, Compressed Natural Gas sector will also face supply suspension. Pakistan is perhaps the only gas-starved country where domestic consumers are prioritised at the cost of industry. Gas exploration has made small strides on land and offshore, whereas gas import projects like the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline do not attract the attention of the government, perhaps due to Arab-Iran rivalry. Both gas companies, the SNGPL and the SSGC, have failed to fix their losses, thanks to financial mismanagement, gas theft and leakages. According to company officials, most gas thieving industry and households are in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab. An estimated 200MMCFD theft occurs in the areas close to gas fields.

The government, most of the time, relies on increasing prices to fix losses. Right now, both gas companies are suffering a loss of Rs50-60 billion per annum. Recently, the government distanced itself from rumoured increase in gas prices by 200 percent. The increase, however, is imminent, no matter how the public reacts to it as losses of gas companies are rising. In September 2018, when the Economic Coordination Committee of the cabinet approved a 46 percent increase in gas rates, Prime Minister Imran Khan intervened and ordered a probe into the action in February this year after public outcry. Later, a fresh dose of 191 per cent hike in gas prices was slapped on the consumers, to be enforced from July 1. Of course, difficult times are ahead for both the government and the public. The government may try to find some face-saving in setting a low slab to shield a good portion of domestic consumers from the fresh onslaught but industry’s and service sector’s dependence on natural gas is likely to set in a fresh wave of inflation. Only structural reforms in gas companies can bring about a change in the sector.

Politicising ANF

Rana Sanaullah is man of controversies. He has a track record of being involved in different unethical, if not illegal, activities and his hate mongering is the dominant aspect of his personality. Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested him on charges of smuggling a heavy quantity of drugs. His case is pending with the court of law. But unfortunately a drive has recently been launched in media to present Sanaullah as a saint. This drive is a double-edged sword as it intends to put a question mark both on the alleged smuggler’s trial and on the integrity of the ANF. Those hired for this drive should understand that Pakistan is a country badly hit by the menace of drugs. Youth under the age of 30 form about 60 per cent of our population and this major segment of our society is the most prone to addiction.

The ANF has been trying to stand as a wall between our youth and drug addiction. It has its presence on the toughest of terrains to stop the movement of drugs. A less reported dimension of this force is its proactive strategy to reduce the demand for drugs. Recently, it began going from school to school, college to college, university to university and street to street to educate our youth about the reality of drugs. In this fight, drives to protect such media trial deals a blow to the credibility of the force. Such drives should be discouraged and serious writers should expose the elements behind them. Media has a social responsibility, which it should not forget. Courts are working independently and they have recently issued very bold verdicts. Hence, the campaign to protect a man standing trial for drug trafficking seems to be a pipe dream. The courts know how to maintain their independence and they have shown their ability to do so.

But there is a need to raise awareness in society on architects of the campaigns as in their frenzy to save their cronies= they end up discrediting national institutions, which should not be allowed at any cost. Action must be taken against these elements. The ANF is a professional institute and it must not be dragged into politics if it arrests some criminals who happen to be in the parliament.