LNG import will settle issues hurting CNG sector: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

Lahore: Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Friday decided to increase availability of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) across Punjab for three days per week.

Currently CNG is available for nine hours a day; two days a week in Punjab while the fuel will be available for eight hours a day for three days from next week; the supply would be further improved before Eid.

This decision was reached in an important meeting between Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and representatives of APCNGA including Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council and the Central Chairman of the body Pervaiz Khan Khattak.

During the meeting, Mr. Abbasi said that CNG is a very critical sector playing vital role in national development. The importance of this sector cannot be undermined under any circumstances, he said.

The minister said that government has no plans to wind up CNG sector; supply of natural gas is curtailed to this sector as demand has always surpassed supply.

Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi clarified that no sector would be discriminated or favoured and gas would be distributed among all gas-based sectors strictly on merit.

He said decision to provide gas to CNG filling stations in Punjab for three days has been taken to reduce the problems of masses and save the CNG operators from bankruptcy and that detailed schedule will be issued within a day or two.

Dering the meeting, Mr. Abbasi, Paracha and Khattak discussed multiple issues confronting CNG sector in detail and stressed for a long-term solution.

The minister informed that government is trying best to import LNG at earliest which will mitigate energy crisis and resolve CNG issues ensuring its round the clock availability.