Tehreek-e-Bahali-e-CNG holds protest in Hasan Abdal

Lahore: Chief Organiser of Tehreek-e-Bahali-e-CNG Raja Jahangir Akhtar on Sunday said government is pleasing influential textile sector at the cost of CNG industry. He said that influential lobby of the owners of Captive Power Plants (CPPs) which is wasting gas worth Rs70 billion per annum is one of the biggest hurdle is the resolution of the energy crisis in Pakistan.

Speaking at a protest rally in Hassan Abdal, he said that the powerful lobby which has been getting natural gas at dirt cheap prices since last five years without the permission of Ogra and Nepra is still enjoying unprecedented influence in the corridors of power

Those who are getting natural gas at 91 per cent discounted rates as compare to furnace oil are being patronized despite the opposition by Planning Commission and Ogra while they have sent packing petroleum ministers and four federal secretaries which has terrified the bureaucracy.

A former advisor petroleum changed gas provision priority list for three times within twenty days illegally and without the consent of concerned institutions including Council of Common Interests, he said.

Jahangir Akhtar said that rules clearly indicate the CPPs can get gas when it is surplus, its usage remains within 1 mmcfd and the owner of any CPP invests Rs500 million minimum. Not only all these conditions are being violated but some owners of the primitive CPPs have closed down their units while selling electricity to others to distribute spoils with government officials.

The veteran business leader and social activist said that the situation warrants action which has been put on the backburner since long which is increasing plight of masses and budget deficit resulting in severe energy crunch.

It may be mentioned that government figures reveal the number of CPPs at 113 which are getting 450 mmcfd gas daily to waster 326 mmcfd which translated into annual loss of Rs70 billion.

The gas load management policy of 2013 has not been approved by the competent forums and its imposition could be a bid to sweep facts under the carpet which include unholy collusion between the owners of CPPs and top government functionaries. 

Gas companies continue to compromise interests of masses to please brokers and bankers who have in turn offered them princely living, he alleged.

At the occasion, CNG operators of Hassan Abdal announced to take part in sit-in outside PM Secretariat while wearing coffins.