ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has decided to shut down all compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in Punjab, the most populated province, for three months starting from November.

Federal minister for petroleum Shahid Khaqan Abbasi told reporters on Tuesday that due to shortages of gas in winter, all CNG stations in the province will be closed from November to January.

Pakistan suffers from a chronic gas shortage. Many Pakistanis have converted their cars to run on CNG, depending on it as a cheaper alternative to petrol and diesel.

The switch to CNG by both private and commercial sectors as an alternative fuel for motor transport has hampered an already burdened gas supply.

Pakistani households use gas as fuel for domestic usage.

“Our first priority are domestic consumers during the winters, so there will be no gas for motor transport in Punjab,” Abbasi said.