Reopening of all CNG stations only short-term solution of the crisis

Lahore: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Monday said stopping illegal distribution of natural gas can help settle petrol crisis in the province of Punjab within 24 hours relieving dejected masses.

The sector having agreement for provision of gas for nine months is being preferred over the CNG sector having contract to get gas for twelve months, it said.

Following GSAs in letter and spirit and keeping public interest supreme while distributing natural gas will subside crisis sooner than expected, said Captain (Retd) Shuja Anwar, Central Chairman APCNGA.

Speaking at a hurriedly called meeting attended by SVC APCNGA Ch. Talib Hussain, VC Khalique-ur-Rehman and others, he said that current shaky situation will normalise if CNG stations are reopened across the Punjab for seven days a week.

Captain Shuja said that price of imported fossil fuel has dipped to a level where the cost of production through natural gas or furnace oil has become almost the same.

Therefore, government can resolve ongoing crisis by diverting gas consuming industrial units to furnace oil to save gas which can help start CNG stations in Punjab, he added.

He demanded of the government to stop gas supply to favourites and take a decision in the interest of masses.

The crisis in Punjab has taken a turn for the worse as an increasing number of petrol pumps dried and hundreds queued up outside fuel stations in various cities, he said adding that CNG has emerged as the only solution to the ongoing crisis in the short term that should not be ignored.

Providing relief to consumers of Lahore through CNG is not to lessen the intensity of crisis therefore the decision should be revisited in the interest of all the suffering people of Punjab, said Shuja.

Reopening CNG stations will send a very good signal, impact job market and provide comfort to masses wasting precious time due to acute fuel shortage.