PPP blocks parliamentary proceedings on 2 gas revenue bills amid rift with govt

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) halted parliamentary proceedings on two government bills concerning natural gas revenue adjustments on Friday, amid increasing political tensions within the ruling coalition. These disputes emerged following recent elections in Azad Kashmir and discussions over potential new provinces. During a National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum meeting, PPP lawmaker Syed Naveed Qamar requested the panel to refrain from discussing the Natural Gas (Development Surcharge) Amendment Bill and the Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) Amendment Bill.

The Petroleum Division had sought approval for expanding the utilization of GIDC funds for strategic oil and gas reserves, beyond its original mandate of developing cross-country pipelines. Approximately Rs295 billion remains unused, while over Rs400 billion collected by fertilizer companies has been unaccounted for due to legal challenges.

Qamar informed reporters that while PPP had been supporting the government, unresolved reservations—including those regarding Azad Kashmir elections, judge appointments, and other matters—prevented further cooperation. The PPP claimed the government had yet to address these issues despite promising to do so. Earlier, the PPP had rejected an Islamabad Local Government Bill, filing a dissenting note, deeming it unacceptable.

Committee Chairman Mustafa Mehmood argued against subsidizing gas prices for fertilizer companies unless it benefited farmers. The committee ultimately decided to postpone consideration of both bills.