The partial strike of CNG stations was witnessed in twin cities - Rawalpindi and Islamabad - on the call of All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA). However, petrol pumps refused to observe strike and stayed open.
All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (APPDA) had announced that it has nothing to do with the strike call of petrol pumps as announced by Petroleum Retailers Association - a new body. Talking to Business Recorder, APPDA Chairman Abdul Sami Khan said: "we are not part of the strike in so far as petrol pumps are concerned."
APCNGA had announced strike for indefinite period on Wednesday after failed attempt to convince Petroleum Secretary and Managing Director of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to exempt CNG sector from gas load shedding. Senior officials of the petroleum ministry said the industry has been facing gas load shedding for half of the week. "However, SNGPL has been supplying gas to CNG stations for five-day a week," the official said, adding that CNG association is trying to exploit the situation.
Transporters especially taxi drivers taking full advantage of the situation, fleeced people at will due to partial strike of CNG stations. The commuters as well as motorists faced immense difficulties as most of the transporters and owners of the private vehicles could not ply on roads because of the closure of CNG stations in the twin cities.
Upon this, the commuters travelling in twin cities said the on-going tussle between the government and the association was proving to be worse for the poor consumers and forcing them either to use the sky-high price of petrol or park their vehicles until the strike ends.
The SNGPL officials said gas supply would be restored when the situation improves. People said the CNG association should also keep on mind the woes of consumers.
LAHORE: All the CNG stations here remained closed on the call of All Pakistan CNG Association. The call was given after the talks between the Managing Director Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and APCNGA collapsed on Tuesday night.
While on the call of All Pakistan Petroleum Retailers Association some petrol pumps of Lahore and Islamabad also remained closed. On the other hand All Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association announced their disassociation from the strike. Some CNG stations on Super Highway, however, continued supplying gas.
Supreme Council All Pakistan CNG Association Chairman Ghayas Paracha told Business Recorder that APCNGA will continue its strike on Thursday (tomorrow). He said the decision was taken by the association to continue the strike because it seems that the government is not serious in solving the issues.
Paracha said they are seeking a meeting with the prime minister. He said more than 2700 CNG stations and 400 petrol pumps remained closed. He appealed to the president and the prime minister to resolve the gas load shedding issue. He said our aim is not to disturb people but to motivate the government to take practical steps for resolution of our problems.
"There's no justification in gas loadshedding in summer. We have been bearing heavy losses since last year. Paracha said we have written letters to President Asif Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani, concerned ministers, federal secretary petroleum, Chairman Ogra, DG Gas and MD SNGPL to take notice of this serious issue and accept our demands.
According to the SNGPL officials, gas load shedding for the CNG sector will continue till May 2011. The officials said that it is expected that in May there will be a one-day load shedding in a week instead of two-day gas load shedding. They hoped that with the improvement in weather conditions things will take a better shape.
The present gas crisis in the country is due to the depleting gas reserves. They said we are facing shortfall of around 550 mmcfd due to the recent sabotage attempts at Guddu and at Zamzama. He said due to deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan and KP provinces no foreign investor is ready to invest.
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