CNG winter closure proposal illegal: APCNGA

ISLAMABAD - Terming the proposal to close CNG filling stations in the winter as illegal, the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Tuesday said this suggestion would hurt investments, spark inflation, create transportation issues and leave millions starving.
The CNG association also said that the government should not focus on CNG sector for offsetting shortage of natural gas in winter but abide by the agreements while arresting illegal use of natural gas, illegal provision of gas to influential sectors, extra usage of gas by some sectors, massive leakages and increasing theft.
Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA said that the authorities seem least interested in abiding by the law or ensuring just use of natural gas while putting all the blame on the unfortunate CNG sector, said.
In a statement issued here today, he said that masses would get relief if CNG outlets were kept open from 9 am to 7 pm during the calendar week, as they would get plenty of natural gas for domestic use and CNG for transportation.
Building his point, he said that provision of gas to CNG sector during Eid did not increased consumption of natural gas or sale of the pumps but provided relief to the masses.
Ghiyas Paracha added that practice of providing gas illegally to some powerful sectors must cease to give relief to masses as a lot of natural gas is being diverted to them creating shortage for the domestic consumers during the biting cold. He said that CNG sector has been facing discrimination on the behest of many mafias including highly connected and powerful oil import mafia.
Rejecting continuous discouragement, all extra legal steps and continuation of the policies of former corrupt cabal, Paracha asked the government to introduce their own policies, which must support masses and investment openings.
He said that closure of CNG would result in enhanced import of petrol and diesel, which will trigger pollution, massive fuel imports, unemployment and social problems.
Government has increased prices of petroleum products to an extent that masses and not ready to accept any substitute for CNG, he observed. He stressed that there is no shortage of gas in the country but supply is being diverted to influential sectors in an unlawful masses.
The closure of CNG will hit meagre income of masses that will have to brave inflation and greater transportation charges, said Paracha.