Pakistani youths throw stones towards police during a protest against gas shortages and price hikes in Rawalpindi. -AFP Photo

ISLAMABAD: The talks between the Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry and Chairman All Pakistan CNG Association Ghiyas Paracha (APCNGA) successfully concluded in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Acting Chairman OGRA and Senior officers of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Finance and representatives of CNG sector.

After the meeting, the secretary told the media that all the issues with the CNG association and transporters association had been amicably resolved and they have called off their strike with immediate effect.

He said demands of the CNG association had been accepted and gas loadshedding duration had been reduced. Now, the CNG supply would resume on the third day at 10 pm, he added.

He said the cess had been reduced for the CNG sector by 10 per cent from 60 per cent to 50 per cent and the OGRA would issue new notification in this regard.

He said a committee had been constituted to review tariff formula for the CNG sector and its proposals would be approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).

He said the decision of OGRA regarding ban on filling of CNG in Public Transport vehicles had been suspended for 30 days and during this period the cylinders would be tested and the public safety measures would be jointly monitored.

He said he had been told by the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain to resolve issues in a democratic manner.

Replying to a question, the secretary also rejected the impression that CNG sector was deliberately being targeted by reducing pressure in gas supply to filling stations.

The Central Chairman of the CNG Association Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said he had no personal enmity with any official and he was struggling for the promotion of the CNG sector.

Opinion

Enter the deputy PM

Enter the deputy PM

Clearly, something has changed since for this step to have been taken and there are shifts in the balance of power within.

Editorial

All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...
Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...