KARACHI: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has demanded of the government to allow opening of CNG stations round the clock as the closure of these stations had put 0.3 million jobs at risk.
In a statement on Tuesday, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Central Chairman APCNGA said reopening of CNG stations in Punjab and Sindh for 12 hours was not acceptable.
“CNG stations remained open during winter during the last five years but during this winter the business was closed which was unjustified”.
“CNG stations in Punjab and Sindh have not worked even for forty hours in last 40 days which affected 0.3 million jobs therefore non-stop operations for full year should be allowed,” it said.
“The move to shut down CNG business increases oil import bill and results in substantial loss to the CNG operators while the government loses sizable revenue,” Paracha said.
He said closure of CNG stations also added to the urban pollution, therefore, the gas companies should immediately open CNG stations in Punjab and Sindh for non-stop operation.
He said that the CNG stations of Punjab switched to costly RLNG over assurances of continued supply and they deposited billions in advance with the government to ensure uninterrupted supply but to no avail.
Ghiyas Paracha said that the province of Sindh had its own gas but the CNG stations were closed which was unconstitutional and caused restlessness among CNG operators and masses.
He said closure of CNG stations resulted in gas sector circular debt as the gas was diverted to domestic consumers and the sectors getting gas at economical rates. “The circular debt is covered by frequent upward revisions in the gas tariff which damages the economy and masses are made to pay for it while it also increases the public transport fares resulting in higher inflation”.