LAHORE: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited on Saturday again suspended supplies to non-export industry and CNG stations in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa. However, the company said it would continue supply to the export, cement and fertiliser sectors.

On the other hand, the All Pakistan CNG association severely criticised the SNGPL in particular and the government in general for suspending supply to stations again on the pretext of shortage or fulfilling the needs of domestic and power sectors.

“On July 5, the CNG stations resumed the operation after seven days. But now, they (the company) have again suspended supply for an indefinite period. It is highhandedness with thousands of employees associated with this business directly or indirectly,” the association’s group leader Ghiyas Piracha deplored while talking to Dawn. “They neither allow us formally to import gas (LNG) on our own nor supply us regularly. They have crushed us,” he said.

It merits mentioning that the SNGPL (Punjab chapter) didn’t issue any notice/notification regarding closure of gas supply from Saturday onward - till improvement in the situation.

“The order was conveyed to the officials concerned verbally to stop supplies to CNG and general industry sectors. It is very non-serious behaviour of the company,” an official source told this reporter.

He said 150 to 200MMCFD of gas supply to the CNG and general industry was shut in a bid to fulfil demand of the gas-fired power plants.

“The company has increased gas supply to these power plants by 750MMCFD,” the official maintained.

He said the SNGPL had earlier on Monday last (June 28) announced complete closure of supply till July 5 to non-export industries - CNG stations, cement and two fertiliser companies (Fatima Fertilizers and Agritech) following a decline in gas availability, low pressure in the system and dry docking of LNG terminal.

On the other hand, the SNGPL (KP chapter) issued a notification about suspension of gas supply/load management. “We wish to inform that in line with the directions of the ministry and in order to manage gas loads on our system, it has been decided to suspend supply to all CNG stations and general industries till improvement in the situation,” reads a notification.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2021