The Planning Commission has opposed the decision of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural resources for the implementation of $ 120 million project for CNG promotion through Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP) and said that the project be given to the private sector.
Official sources told Business Recorder that the Planning Commission is against the implementation of such a big project through HDIP. "We want the government to play the role of supervisor and supporter, not the implementer" an official said.
He said that Petroleum Ministry did not consult the Planning Commission before the talks for assistance with Asian Development Bank and informed the Planning Commission only after finalisation.
He said that the Planning Commission has informed the concerned quarters that the government can not implement the project in a competitive manner.
According to the plan, the government would start the installation of new CNG stations in five major cities including federal capital and four provincial capitals.
The project would cost about $ 120 million and the government had held talks with ADB fact finding mission for funding the projects.
The HDIP is a national petroleum research & development (R&D) organisation. It is an autonomous body of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Resources, established in 1975 under a resolution of the Federal Government and registered as per Societies Registration Act, 1860.
It carries out applied research, provides consultancy and laboratory services to the petroleum industry and renders technical advice to the government on matters referred to it.
The official admitted that HDIP is a pioneer who introduced the CNG industry in Pakistan in 1982 and after successful transfer of technology and demonstration of pilot stations by HDIP at Karachi and Islamabad, the government had formulated Pakistan CNG Rules 1992 and commercialised CNG as an alternative motor fuel.
It is now high time for the private sector to play its role for success of the sector, he added.
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