ISLAMABAD May 6: Good news for the motorists of Potohar region; the government has announced that CNG stations would remain operational on the polling day (May 11, 2013).

The three-day CNG loadshedding throughout Punjab on a rotation basis makes CNG unavailable for the Potohar region (starting from District Jhelum to Rawalpindi and including the federal capital) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

The announcement was made by caretaker petroleum minister, Sohail Wajahat Siddiqui, during a visit to the ‘Oil and Gas Control Cell’ in his ministry.

The cell had been established to ensure continuous supply of oil and gas during Elections 2013.

He said all relevant ministries and departments would coordinate to ensure availability of oil and gas for the power sector, so that petrol pumps, CNG stations and telephone networks were operational during the election days.

“The Oil and Gas Control Cell will be operational round-the-clock and all information pertaining to oil and gas stocks and supplies will be available with the control cell,” he added.

The minister also directed the officials concerned to ensure co-ordination at all levels among various ministries to make the Control Cell a success.

“A detailed discussion was held with Minister for Water & Power Dr. Musaddiq Malik and Minister for IT & Telecom Dr. Sania Nishtar regarding the control cell,” Mr Siddiqui said. He added that both ministries would provide full support for continuous supply of electricity and gas, and to keep the telecommunication network operational during the elections.

The All Pakistan CNG Association has demanded of the government to provide CNG on May 10, 11 and 12 as well.

“There are more than 3.7 million CNG vehicles in the country, and their routine beneficiaries account for 80 million people,” Chairman APCNGA Ghiyas Paracha said, “Availability of CNG would not only benefit the polling staff but voters would also find it easier to reach the polling stations.”