Karak's Gas Conundrum: A Question of Equity and Energy Access

Strategic Insights -

As Pakistan strives to address its acute energy crisis, a new development at the Nashpa gas field in Karak has rekindled long-standing calls for equitable access to natural gas for local communities. The field is set to produce 7.7 million standard cubic feet of gas per day, feeding into the national grid and powering homes across the country. However, despite being a significant contributor to Pakistan's energy supply, Karak remains one of the least-served areas in terms of domestic gas access, with fewer than 1% of households relying on natural gas for cooking.

Key Takeaways:

  • The announcement of new gas production from Karak's Nashpa field has reignited calls for access to natural gas for local communities, citing Article 158 of the Constitution.
  • Despite being a key contributor to Pakistan's energy supply, Karak remains one of the least-served areas, with fewer than 1% of households using natural gas for cooking.
  • In 2020, Karak produced around 8 million barrels of oil and over 65,000 million cubic feet of gas, but many residents still rely on wood or gas cylinders for heating and cooking.
  • The Khattak Ittehad, a social welfare group in the district, has been advocating for gas access in Karak since the early 2000s, leading to some gas connections for villages like Latamber and Chokara, but the majority remains neglected.
  • Authorities have cited issues like gas theft and unauthorized usage as reasons for disruptions, but many argue that they point to a deeper systemic failure: denying legal access to thousands of families.
  • The Constitution guarantees the people of Karak a right to access this resource, with Article 158 stating that the province in which a well-head of natural gas is situated shall have precedence over other parts in meeting requirements from that well.

Statistics:

  • 1% of households in Karak district use natural gas for cooking.
  • 7.7 million standard cubic feet of gas per day will be produced from the Nashpa field, feeding into the national grid.
  • 8 million barrels of oil were produced in Karak in 2020.
  • 65,000 million cubic feet of gas were produced in Karak in 2020.
  • Rs 100 million is the estimated cost of extending gas lines to 400 people in a wide and hilly area like Karak.

Sources:

  • "Article 158 of the Constitution" cited by residents and quoted in the article.
  • Pakistan Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL) press release announcing increased production at the Nashpa gas field.
  • KP government data on household gas access in Karak district.
  • Interview with Malik Hidayatullah, former leader of the Khattak Ittehad, conducted by APP.
  • Interview with Haji Noor Muhammad, former general secretary of the Khattak Ittehad, conducted by the author.
  • Shahid Khattak, Member of the National Assembly (MNA) from Karak, replying to APP queries on gas access in Karak.