PESHAWAR, Jan 31: Owing to disconnection of gas supply to 25 CNG stations in Peshawar, the consumers on Thursday faced great problems as long queues of vehicles were seen at the remaining 43 filling stations.

The All Pakistan CNG Stations Association, NWFP chapter will devise its strategy against the decision of the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) on Friday.

A member of the association Alif Khan told Dawn that as per agreement with the officials concerned they were bound to keep close each station for 24 hours, but the policy was changed.

“We were asked to close each station for 3 consecutive days on rotational basis, but the association is not ready to accept the unilateral decision,” he said. He said the association would not accept the decision and would stage demonstrations to protest it.

SNGPL General Manager Iqbal Hussain, when approached, said that the decision had been taken in order to ensure smooth supply of gas to domestic consumers. He said the decision was taken by the headquarters of the company in the best interest of the people.

However, the domestic consumers said they did not observe any improvement in pressure and supply of gas even after the suspension of its supply to CNG stations.

Residents of Gulberg told this scribe that supply of gas had been disconnected to the area for the last two months and they were using liquefied gas cylinders in the kitchens.