Peshawar - Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi received a comprehensive briefing from officials of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) on gas supply, ongoing development projects, and key challenges across the province. The briefing was attended by General Manager Waqas Shinwari, Regional Manager Karak Kashif Naveed, Regional Manager Abbottabad Rehmatullah Marwat, Dera Ismail Khan Incharge Waqas Rustam Gandapur, Acting Regional Manager Mardan Rehan Khan, and other senior officials.
SNGPL Operations and Consumer Base
Officials informed the Governor that SNGPL operates in four regions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, serving approximately 367,000 consumers in Peshawar, 310,000 in Mardan, 205,000 in Abbottabad, and 148,000 in the Karak region, which also covers Bhakkar and eight other districts.
Network Upgrades and Reduced Losses
The meeting revealed that the province-wide gas network replacement and upgradation program had significantly reduced line losses from 21 percent to 13 percent. Officials noted that overall gas consumption had also declined following the decision to stop industries from generating electricity using natural gas.
Anti-Theft Measures and New Pipelines
The Governor was informed that action against gas theft was continuing, while new gas pipelines were being laid in Peshawar, Namak Mandi, Hayatabad, Chaghar Matti, Charsadda, and other areas to improve consumer services. Officials said the gas pipeline infrastructure was already available in the Dera Ismail Khan Small Industrial Estate to support industrial development.
Low-Cost Electricity Proposal Stalled
The briefing further revealed that since 2016, SNGPL had repeatedly offered the provincial government a proposal to generate low-cost electricity from gas, but little progress had been made over the past decade. Expressing concern, Governor Kundi stressed that the project deserved immediate attention and urged the provincial government to take practical steps for its implementation to ensure affordable electricity for the people.
Dera Ismail Khan Issues and Gas Shortages
He also highlighted the need to resolve power shortages and administrative issues at the Dera Ismail Khan office, saying that the region had comparatively lower gas losses and deserved improved services. The Governor directed officials to address gas load-shedding in Dera Ismail Khan and other parts of the province, saying it was unfortunate that despite being a gas-producing province, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continued to face gas shortages.
Expedited Projects and Policy Implementation
He called for expedited work on the Dera Ismail Khan gas pressure improvement and network expansion projects, implementation of the five-kilometre gas supply policy for settlements adjacent to gas-producing areas, and early completion of a new gas pipeline being installed due to the construction of a flyover in the city. Officials informed the Governor that new gas pipelines were also being laid in several districts with the cooperation of the provincial government, while projects to extend gas supply to new localities under the five-kilometre policy were at various stages of approval.
Emphasis on Quality Education and Youth Empowerment
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi on Monday underscored the importance of quality education, youth empowerment, and sports development. The Governor expressed these views during a meeting with a delegation of cadets from Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi, Mansehra, at the Governor House. The delegation, led by the college Principal Brig (r) Abdul Hafeez, called on the Governor, who warmly welcomed the cadets and described them as the future leaders of Pakistan.
Cadet College Batrasi
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Kundi said today's cadets would lead the country and serve the nation in various fields in the years ahead. He said Pakistan Scouts Cadet College Batrasi was among the province's finest educational institutions and recalled that Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto had laid its foundation, making a significant contribution to youth education. The Governor said he had already written to the President of Pakistan regarding the development and improvement of the college and announced that he would soon visit the institution. He assured the delegation of his full support for the welfare of students and the progress of the college.
Path to Development Through Education
He said the path to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's development passed through quality education, adding that the province's youth possessed immense talent and deserved better opportunities to excel. Highlighting the role of sports, Governor Kundi said that several members of Pakistan's national cricket team belonged to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said the province's youth had exceptional potential in cricket as well as other sports. He stressed the need to provide young people with greater opportunities in education, sports, and other positive activities.
Electric Bikes and Scholarships
Responding to questions from the cadets, the Governor said Pakistan's military and political leadership had been playing a commendable role in promoting global peace. He also said he would take up the issue of providing electric bikes to students with the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and advocated for subsidized electric bikes for students across the province. Governor Kundi called for expanding international scholarship opportunities for university students and said school and college students should also be included in government welfare and facilitation programmes. He added that attention was being focused on the mines and minerals industry and emphasized that sustainable economic and regional development was not possible without active community participation.
