Pakistani youths throw stones towards police during a protest against gas shortages and price hikes in Rawalpindi. -AFP Photo

ISLAMABAD: The talks between the Secretary Petroleum and Natural Resources Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry and Chairman All Pakistan CNG Association Ghiyas Paracha (APCNGA) successfully concluded in Islamabad on Tuesday.

The meeting was attended by Acting Chairman OGRA and Senior officers of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Finance and representatives of CNG sector.

After the meeting, the secretary told the media that all the issues with the CNG association and transporters association had been amicably resolved and they have called off their strike with immediate effect.

He said demands of the CNG association had been accepted and gas loadshedding duration had been reduced. Now, the CNG supply would resume on the third day at 10 pm, he added.

He said the cess had been reduced for the CNG sector by 10 per cent from 60 per cent to 50 per cent and the OGRA would issue new notification in this regard.

He said a committee had been constituted to review tariff formula for the CNG sector and its proposals would be approved by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC).

He said the decision of OGRA regarding ban on filling of CNG in Public Transport vehicles had been suspended for 30 days and during this period the cylinders would be tested and the public safety measures would be jointly monitored.

He said he had been told by the Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani and Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain to resolve issues in a democratic manner.

Replying to a question, the secretary also rejected the impression that CNG sector was deliberately being targeted by reducing pressure in gas supply to filling stations.

The Central Chairman of the CNG Association Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said he had no personal enmity with any official and he was struggling for the promotion of the CNG sector.

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