RAWALPINDI: After a gap of three years, the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling station in Punjab will open throughout the week from Tuesday but for six hours only.

The SNGPL has issued a notification in this regard on Monday allowing the owners of filling stations to keep their outlets open from 10am to 4 pm daily and from 6am to 12 midnight on Sundays.

Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi announced the decision on March 29 after the petroleum ministry officials reached an agreement with the CNG owners association.

The gas load-shedding for CNG filling stations started during the tenure of PPP led federal government.

Earlier, it was only for two days but later the gas was available to the people only for two days a week.

However, the present government suspended gas supply to the CNG station in January, but the CNG dealers managed to get a stay against the decision from the Islamabad High Court.

Later, in its decision, the court ordered provision of gas to CNG filling stations three days a week.

The residents of the province in general and twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad in particular feel relieved by the decision.

“After being fed up with long queues at CNG stations, I started using petrol. But, it is a good news that we will get the cheap fuel again throughout the week,” said Sahil Hussain, a resident of Shamsabad, while talking to Dawn.

Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA expressed gratitude for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi for the decision.

Availability of CNG across the province for seven days a week will also help government save gas and electricity in peak hours, he added.