APCNGA rejects new gas load management plan

Lahore: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Monday rejected the gas load management plan to keep CNG stations in Punjab closed throughout winter terming it against the interests of masses, law and ground realities.

The authorities have conveniently ignored the plight of masses, its negative impact on job market and the lurching CNG sector, said Pervaiz Khan Khattak, Central Chairman APCNGA.  

In a statement issued here today, he said that implementation of illegal gas load management plan will boost oil import bill, bring currency under renewed pressure and further imbalance trade balance while government will lose billions in taxes.

He said that the highly flawed decision will hurt tens of millions of people across country, leave millions jobless and degrade urban environment at an unprecedented pace.

Pervaiz Khan Khattak said that gas utilities, Ogra and the government must turn away from the negative and unpopular policies which will choke growth and send a negative signal.  

The so-called business-friendly government of PML-N has shocked the masses and entire CNG community by deciding to close the sector for four months.

The latest gas load management plan is illegal as CNG operators and Government are bound to follow the agreement which clearly cites continuous supply of natural gas to CNG stations for 365 days a year, he informed.

The leader of CNG sector said that CNG is the only sector of the country which has no other alternative for the natural gas therefore it should get preference under all circumstances lest it crumbles.

Khattak said that gas theft has toughed the mark of Rs 45 billion per annum which is ignored by the authorities for obvious reasons while illegal use of gas is being promoted.

For this very reason, the gas companies have been forwarding proposals which amounts to cruelty, he said adding that no problem is without solution but nobody seems interested in it due to vested interests.