PESHAWAR: The stations of compressed natural gas (CNG) remained closed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the last two days as respective district administrations mostly ordered their closure for three days under Section 144 of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

In Peshawar, the administration ordered closure of all CNG stations from March 21 to 23, claiming that the move was aimed at providing relief to domestic consumers during the festival of Eiful Fitr.

Peshawar deputy commissioner said in a statement that the order would apply across the district without any exception. The order issued by him said that Section 144 of CrPC was invoked to ensure its strict implementation.

It said that strict legal action would be taken against anyone found violating the order. Those found violating the order will be booked under Section 188 of Pakistan Penal Code, which deals with disobedience of official directives.

Authorities say the decision was meant to manage resources effectively

The district administration has urged all stakeholders to fully comply with the order to avoid legal consequences. The administration said that the temporary closure of CNG stations was necessary to manage resources effectively.

Our correspondent from Mansehra adds: CNG stations remained closed on Saturday and Sunday after district administration ordered suspension of gasoline supply to vehicles for Eid’s first three days.

The CNG stations suspended gas supply to vehicles on the first and second days of Eid in the city, its suburbs and the rest of the district. The district administration, to provide an uninterrupted natural gas supply to domestic consumers, ordered suspension of CNG supply to vehicles for the first three days of Eid.

An order issued by the deputy commissioner of Mansehra said that CNG stations in the district would remain closed for the first three days of Eid and would not supply gas to vehicles.

It said that Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Company moved district administration, seeking closure of CNG stations to ensure uninterrupted supply to domestic consumers.

“Now therefore, in the public interest and for equitable management of available gas, it is hereby notified that all CNG stations would remain closed round-the-clock on the first, second and third days of Eid. On the rest of the days vehicles would be filled only from 8pm night to 2pm the next day,” it said.

Meanwhile, consumers faced a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) before and after Eidul Fitr despite an increase in its prices at local market. The price of LPG surged to Rs400 per kilogram in local market since the start of American-Israeli war on Iran.

The price, which had jumped to Rs350 per kilogram following the start of the war, has now reached Rs400 in local market. “In other towns and cities, this is also being sold at Rs420 per kilogram and people have been facing its scarcity,” a local said.

Our correspondent from Charsadda adds: The district administration on Friday ordered closure of all CNG stations for three days under Section 144 of CrPC.

According to a notification issued by Deputy Commissioner Dr Azmatullah Wazir, the decision was taken after receiving reports from federal ministry of energy (petroleum division) regarding disruption in LNG supply from Middle East, which led to a significant decline in gas availability.

The order said that ensuring uninterrupted supply of gas to domestic consumers was imperative and continued operation of CNG stations could adversely affect supply to priority users.

“All CNG stations in the district shall remain closed for a period of three days with effect from March 21, 2026,” the notification read. The administration warned that any violation of the order would attract legal action under Section 188 of Pakistan Penal Code.

Our correspondent from Lakki Marwat adds: The district administration has ordered closure of CNG stations for four days in Karak.

An official said that Deputy Commissioner Asad Sarwar issued an order to that effect, keeping in view the shortage of gas in the country. He said that the ongoing conflict in the region and subsequent suspension and disruption of LNG supply caused acute shortage of gas in the country.

He said that closure of CNG stations would ensure uninterrupted gas supply to domestic consumers. “The operation of CNG stations could aggravate the shortage of gas for households,” he added.

He said that the CNG stations would remain closed with effect from March 21 to March 24 (both days inclusive).

Meanwhile, similar order was also issued by Nowshera Deputy Commissioner Irfanullah Mehsud on March 20, stating that it should come into force at once with immediate effect and should remain in force from March 21 to March 23 unless modified or withdrawn earlier.

Published in Dawn, March 23th, 2026