We are working on plan to run CNG stations for next 20 years: Ghiyas Paracha

Lahore: Leader of the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha on Tuesday said the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet has formally approved import of the LNG by private sector to facilitate the CNG sector.

The Government had earlier approved the revolutionary move which has been notified now that will change the energy landscape of the country, he said.

In a statement issued here today, Ghiyas Paracha said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi are very serious in resolving energy crisis which is evident from their LNG move.

The move will not only bring pleasant change in the national energy mix but also revive troubled CNG industry which will save Rs 450 billion investment, four hundred thousand jobs, 2.7 million converted vehicles and precious foreign exchange besides impacting the environment, he said.

The converted vehicles include a sizable quantity of public service vehicles which after availability of CNG would reduce fares benefiting tens of millions of commuters.

The leader of the CNG sector said that according to the recent ECC notification, the CNG sector would be able to import LNG to cater for its needs. Moreover pricing, relocation of CNG stations, renewal of licences and other important issued would be out of the ambit of regulatory bodies, he informed.

Ghiyas Paracha said that a new company in the name of United Gas Distribution Company (UGDC) has been formed to complete transportation of LNG from port to CNG stations in Punjab.

The company will also finalise issues with other private companies and distributors of natural gas.

So far, the UGDC has compiled data of hundreds of CNG stations, finalised all related issues and it is in process of opening LCs for the shipment of fuel.