Privatization of Qadir Pur gas field, Sui Sothern and Northern will result into another energy crisis in the country.

Privatization of K.E.S.C and the establishment of IPP’S (Independent Power Projects) have not benefited the country and the consumers. Instead, this policy has resulted in electricity crisis. Therefore the privatization of Qadir Pur Gas field will be a foundation stone of another energy crisis in the country in the form of gas shortages and high prices. Privatization of energy sector under the guise of free-market economy and to produce a more efficient energy sector is actually a step towards complete abolishment of Pakistan’s sovereignty over its energy sector. It is ironic that the same political parties who had protested against the privatization of Pakistan Steel Mills are now spearheading the privatization drive of the second largest gas reserve of Pakistan for a meager price. It has been said that an effort to privatize an important strategic asset during Musharraf’s government was because of dictatorship in the country. Now a democratic government is going to privatize not only Qadir Pur gas field but also Heavy Electrical Complex which is backbone of Pakistan’s heavy industry. Privatization of these public assets to help the greedy capitalists is one of those polices which has continued uninterrupted for last twenty years no matter the government is dictatorial or democratic. This fact is a simple proof that whether there is a dictatorship or a democratic setup, only Capitalist system and imperialist’s policies are implemented in Pakistan. Islam prohibits privatization of energy resources and obliges the government to manage and equally distributes its benefits to all of its citizens. Hence the ownership of these resources remains with the people and state only manages it on behalf of the citizens. The Messenger of Allah ( P.B.U.H) said:

"The Muslims are partners in three, water, grass, and fire, and its price is forbidden"
[Ibn Maja].

Hizb-ut-Tahrir demands that the privatization process of Qadir Pur Gas Field must be stopped immediately. Hizb-ut-Tahrir also demands that already privatized energy sector, Natural resources, and important strategic companies must be returned to public sector, so that people may benefit them at their cost price.

Shahzad Shaikh
The Deputy Spokesman of Hizb-ut-Tahrir