LAHORE, Nov 16: The LPG Joint Action Committee has announced a protest programme to press for lifting of undue restrictions on the liquefied petroleum gas business. Action committee chief organizer Irfan Khokhar and members said at a press conference here on Wednesday that the LPG distribution and sale points would remain closed on Nov 26, 27 and 28, rickshaw drivers would march from Lytton Road to Governor’s House on Nov 29 and go on a strike on Dec 1.

They said they wanted permission for use of LPG in auto industry in accordance with the decision of the federal cabinet. They alleged that the civil defence and police were extorting Rs3,000 per month from every sale point on the pretext of allowing to continue business. They also wanted discontinuation of the campaign launched against the rickshaw drivers on the pretext of causing environment pollution and restoration of 119 rickshaw and taxi stands, including those at the Lahore airport and railway station. The stands had been taken over by the operators of rent-a-car services.

They said the use of LPG was being discouraged in violation of the federal cabinet decision for the promotion of the CNG. There was no justification for the prosecution of rickshaw drivers for causing environmental pollution as long as the sale of substandard mobile oil was being allowed to continue.

Action Committee members LPG Distributors Association president Mian Liaquat, All-Punjab Rickshaw Taxi Unions Federation chairman Javed Sabir, Muttahida Rickshaw Drivers Union chairman Asghar Mahmand and Muttahida LPG Distributors and Sales Points Owners Association president Fayyaz Khan Bassikhel were present at the press conference. —Reporter