APCNGA demands immediate audit of gas prices

Islamabad: The All Pakistan CNG Association () on Monday demanded immediate audit of gas prices saying that gas distribution companies are forcibly getting inflated price of gas from CNG operators since last three years.

CNG owners have been made to pay Rs 2.18 per kg in addition to the prices determined by OGRA which is sheer violation of the laid down guidelines, it said.

The report of independent auditors appointed by Ogra on the directives of the Apex Court have calculated losses to the tune of Rs 18.90 on the current retail price, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA.

In a statement issued here today, he said that CNG operators have been directed to sell gas at Rs 61.63 in which they pay back Rs 57.62 to the government as bill of the gas utilised by them.

Owners only save Rs 4.01 per kg in which they are supposed to cater for compression and operational costs, salaries, rent, fees, diesel for generators, maintenance of building and machines, depreciation and miscellaneous expenses which is illogical.

Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said that audit of operational cost has been conducted by audit of gas prices haven’t, otherwise masses would have seen the full picture of the problem.

Ogra is not willing to accept the report of auditors appointed by them; it is bent upon following babucracy which is complicating the matter creating problems for masses and the CNG sector, he added.

Paracha said that the record submitted by FBR in the Supreme Court says that CNG sector has paid around Rs 36 billion as advance income tax and Sates Tax in last three years yet we are subjected to discrimination.

He said that OGRA and Energy Ministry has mismanaged everything while patronising and promoting influential sectors that would never discharge national obligations by paying taxes.