RAWALPINDI, Jan 10: The All Pakistan CNG Association has opposed the reported proposal of Planning Commission to bring CNG prices at par with that of petrol.

“The proposal would turn the Rs60 billion investments made so far in the CNG industry into ashes,” said Sanaur Rahman, chairman of the association, in a statement.

“If the proposal was given consideration, the CNG industry would take all necessary measures to protest including shutting down,” he said.

He termed the proposal a conspiracy to destroy the CNG business which would lead to a wave of unbearable inflation draining away the purchasing power of the public.

The association, which held its meeting in Rawalpindi on Thursday, pledged to resist the Planning Commission’s proposal in order to save their investments and business. The CNG sector is saving some 6.4 billion litres of petrol annually. He alleged that petroleum dealers were party to the proposal of commission.

Mr Rahman said the CNG sector used only eight per cent of the total consumption of natural gas and was not responsible for the present crisis of gas shortage. He said domestic sector consumed 22 per cent of natural gas during summer which rose to almost 65 per cent during the winter.

Gas geysers and heaters were being used non-stop round the clock and these employed primitive technology wasting a lot of natural gas. What is required by the planners is to introduce efficient energy-saving domestic appliances which would help save natural gas.

The association members, “advised the Planning Commission not to recommend proposals that would add to the miseries of the business community as well as the public.”