RAWALPINDI: The petroleum ministry’s recent decision to allow Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations to resume operation only in Lahore drew resentment from residents and filling station owners in other cities of Punjab.

All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Saturday criticised this decision.

APCNGA central leader Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said the whole province of Punjab is suffering from fuel shortage so CNG stations should be allowed to operate for seven days a week across the province.

He said that it is the government’s responsibility to provide relief to all the people of Punjab, not just those who live in the provincial capital.

Ghiyas Paracha added that CNG stations in Punjab have been closed since November, staff has been laid off and gas meters at many outlets have been removed which makes it near impossible for many CNG stations to resume operation.

He said that resuming operation also means paying fixed charges on gas and electricity bills which is very difficult for the owners of CNG stations who have already suffered heavy losses.

APCNGA Chairman Pervaiz Khan Khattak told Dawn that it was beyond his understanding why only CNG stations in Lahore are being allowed to open. “We suggested the government to allow CNG sale across the province for two days a week until petrol supply is restored,” he said.

“We have called the meeting of the association in Lahore and we will soon respond to the government’s decision,” he said.

Sui Northen Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) Islamabad-Rawalpindi spokesman Shahid Akram said permission to allow sale of CNG has only been allowed in Lahore and filling stations in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad will remain closed.

“We are facing an acute shortage of gas and therefore domestic consumers have been requested to use gas only for cooking purposes,” he said.

To a question about low gas pressure in most areas of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, he said that the gas pipelines are too smal in many areas and the SNGPL is working to replace these pipelines. “Another reason is that a lot of people are using gas compressors and creating problems for others,” he added.

Published in Dawn January 18th , 2015

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