CNG Crisis left millions of breadwinners jobless

Lahore: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Monday released protest schedule terming it last option to get their rights protected at a time when the whole sector is being victimised by few due to absence of a CNG policy.

The engineered crisis of the CNG has left some four lakh people unemployed making life difficult for them and their two and a half million dependants, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, APCNGA.

In a statement issued here today, he said that transport sector has been badly hit leaving millions more insecure while adding to the miseries of general public.

Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said that CNG filling stations have been closed since two and a half months which is resulting in rusting machinery jeopardising investments to the tune of Rs 400 billion.
He said that President and Prime Minister should interfere in the issue to save investments and provide relief to masses.
The latest pricing formula was made in violation of all the rules, regulations and norms while gas prices and taxes were not reduced as demanded.

Paracha said that CNG sector is totally dependent on provision of gas while gas is being provided to other sectors which have other options available for energy.

“The CNG sector consuming seven per cent gas is being victimised systematically while those involved in gas theft to the tune of fourteen per cent are being encouraged,” he lamented.
Those who have always blamed CNG sector for consuming too much gas should tell nation why there is no gas available for domestic consumers while CNG stations have been closed, he questioned.
Nation must know where all the gas is flowing now, he said adding that in the current situation we have no option but to take to streets to get our demands met.

Giving details of the protest schedule, he said that on Jan 08 a protest rally will be carried out from Faizabad, near Hascol CNG filling station at 2.00 pm while another rally will be carried out at 4.30 pm in Karachi at Civic Lawn, Opposite SSGC head office, Near Hassan Square which will be followed by a press conference.
Similarly, at 2.30 pm a demonstration will be held at Main Boulevard, Main Market, Gulberg Chowk, Lahore while another rally will be carried out at 2.00 pm at Main GTS Chowk, Faisalabad.