PESHAWAR: The district administration has stopped CNG stations in Peshawar from operating between 4pm and 9am daily until Jan 8 due to the low pressure of and increased demand for natural gas.

According to a statement issued here by the deputy commissioner’s office, the move will improve the pressure of natural gas supplied to domestic consumers.

The administration warned that violators of the restriction would be booked under Section 188 of Pakistan Penal Code.

It said gas supply to domestic consumers was its top priority during increased demand during the peak time of the winter season.

Meanwhile, the All Pakistan Compressed Natural Gas Association, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, rejected the cabinet’s decision about the suspension of gas supply to CNG stations in the province and declared it a violation of the Peshawar High Court orders on the matter.

“The Peshawar High Court had declared that under Article 158 of the Constitution, a province with a wellhead of natural gas will be preferred for gas supply to other parts of the country,” association leader Fazal Muqeem Khan told reporters.

He said the province had sufficient gas reserves to meet the local needs.

Mr Fazal criticised political leaders for what he called not raising voice on the matter.

He said as most industrial units in the province had stopped production due to power and gas crises, the closure of CNG stations would cause unemployment and financial problems for the people.

Published in Dawn, December 10th, 2021