KARACHI, June 5: A countrywide strike was launched on Tuesday night by the CNG dealers association in protest against a government decision to increase tax on compressed natural gas.

CNG Dealers Association chairman Abdul Sami Khan criticised the government’s move, which he said would bring the price of CNG at par with that of petrol.

“Agreeing to what the government wants from us will mean CNG being sold at the same price as petrol, which is unacceptable as why would anyone even buy CNG after that,” he told Dawn.

“There has been so much investment in the CNG sector as a result of which you see some reduction in pollution on the roads. And what use would it all be if no one buys CNG,” he said, adding that the dealers were left with no choice but to close down all CNG stations starting Wednesday.

Asked if their strike was indefinite, he said: “Well, yes, pretty much so. We will hold meetings every 10 hours or so with other CNG associations to review the outcome of the strike and move ahead from there onwards.”

‘CNG stations to open in Hyderabad’

The Sindh CNG Association has decided to keep gas stations open in Hyderabad and interior Sindh.

“Why should we add to the problems of our consumers by closing the CNG pumps when the cess is only part of budget proposals and not effective until July 1? There is still plenty of debate expected before the decision is actually carried out,” said Sindh CNG Association chairman Zulfiqar Ahmed Yousufani in a meeting held in Hyderabad.

“And there is still time before the acceptance of this proposal and there are other ways to show our disapproval such as protesting in front of the Hyderabad Press Club, etc,” he added.