LAHORE, Oct 23: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi says the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) technology in transport vehicles is being encouraged under a comprehensive strategy.

Talking to a delegation of a multinational company at the chief minister’s house on Monday, he said under a phased programme, all transport vehicles would be converted to CNG that would not only help overcome environment pollution, but also improve the standard of life of the masses.

Led by Zaiviji Ismail, the Shell Pakistan country chairman and managing director, the delegation comprised company’s Lahore region head Mubassar Umer and resident manager Munir Ahmad.

The chief minister said a green fund had been established in the province. Grants were being issued to owners of all two-stroke rickshaws, and diesel buses would be given interest-free loans for conversion to CNG.

He said provision of CNG rickshaws was instrumental in minimising unemployment. Promotion of the CNG technology was also helping in curtailing transport expanses. All-out support was being provided for the manufacturing of CNG rickshaws at the local level.

Appreciating the role of Shell Pakistan in the relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by last year quake, Pervaiz Elahi praised the company for making investment in different projects in the country.

Zaiviji Ismail said his company was playing an effective role in oil exploration, refining and marketing for meeting energy requirements of the country and had been undertaking various projects in this region for the last 100 years.

Mubashar Umar said a comprehensive strategy had been evolved for adopting CNG technology. The company had initiated a number of projects in this area and provided huge funds for the rehabilitation of quake-hit people.