Three-day gas closure in a week: CNG associations term decision unjustified

Representatives of all CNG associations termed the CNG suspension in Karachi for three days in a week as unjustified and artificial. Talking to Business Recorder, Sameer Gulzar, regional chairman, All Pakistan CNG Association, said that the authority had created artificial gas crisis in Sindh with the aim to discourage the use of CNG as alternate fuel.
He questioned that if Sindh faced severe gas crisis, why all other sectors except CNG sector were exempted from gas load management plan. He rejected the proposal to convert the CNG filling stations into LPG, saying that inconsistency in government policies has badly shaken the confidence of the business community and the CNG station owners could not afford further financial losses in the conversion of CNG pumps into LPG filing stations. He said that although the owners of the CNG stations have submitted audited accounts to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the dilly-dally tactics were being used to fix CNG price, despite the directives of the Supreme Court.
Abdul Sami Khan, President, CNG Dealers Association said that OGRA after conducting four public hearing remained unable to fix CNG price, due to immense pressure of petroleum ministry that caused difficulties for the motorist and the CNG pumps owners.
To a question, he said the government intended to promote LPG as alternate fuel but it would not be affordable for the consumers and added that the government instead of encouraging the use of LPG should draft comprehensive plan for CNG sector. Moreover, he said, the proposal to designate CNG pumps only for public transport was not viable especially in Karachi during prevailing law and order situation.
Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council of APCNGA said Ogra had accepted that gas companies were charging more from CNG stations under GCV (Gross Calorific Value). Similarly, the representatives of SSGC and SNGPL have also accepted over billing in the high altitude areas of Hazara and Balochistan and assured to resolve the problem. He informed that no development has taken place on the issue of gas prices, GDC (Gas Development Surcharge) and GIDC (Gas Infrastructure Development Charges) and urged the authority to review reduction in the taxes to provide maximum relief to the consumers.