LNG import to revive Rs 350 CNG industry in Punjab

Lahore: Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday said Government is trying best to resolve all the pending issues confronted by the CNG industry to get it re-energized which will benefit tens of millions of people.

He said that all the hurdles in import of LNG would be resolved by the government to keep CNG stations running without any interruption across Punjab.

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said this while talking to a delegation of CNG representatives led by Ghiyas Paracha at Model Town. Chairman of Universal Gas Distribution Company (UGDC) Brig. (Retd) Iftikhar Ahmed, Secretary Petroleum, MD SSGC, other top official and CNG representatives Captain (Retd) Raja Shuja Anwar, Mian Shahid, and Munir Asghar were also present on the occasion.

The Chief Minister lauded initiative of the private sector to import LNG as it would balance demand-supply position, get CNG sector back on feet and support Government’s efforts to tame energy crisis.

He said that government is serious about resolving energy crisis and it is encouraging to know that private sector is also trying the same.

Shahbaz Sharif asked the delegation to leave no stone unturned to ensure early availability of the LNG in Pakistan to give a new life to ailing CNG sector and assured all out cooperation in this regard.

He directed the officials concerned to cooperate to resolve the issues of the CNG industry.

Earlier, Ghiyas Paracha said that serious efforts have been initiated to provide CNG to the masses for which LNG is being imported through private arrangement.

Pakistan has world’s number one CNG industry in which Rs 450 billion have been invested in which share of Punjab standing at Rs 350 billion, he informed.

He said that government’s drive and our efforts will save the Punjab CNG sector which was going down day after day.

Availability of LNG for CNG would relieve 2.6 million vehicles owners from lines on CNG filling stations and they would save substantially in the fuel bill said Ghiyas Paracha, adding that it will have a positive impact on inflation, environment, oil import bill and job market.

LNG would also contribute to the reduction in transportation costs directly benefitting around 60 million people in Punjab, he added.

Ghiyas Paracha said that the LNG policy of the federal government is matchless and revolutionary which will give new strength to the dying CNG industry sending a very positive signal.