Petrol crisis: no let-up in people's difficulties despite government's tall claim

Despite the tall claims of the government petrol shortage in Punjab entered into the seventh day as people in Punjab were seen travelling from station to station looking for petrol. According to the details, 80 percent of the filling stations remained closed in Lahore. Long queues were being witnessed at the few stations which were open in Lahore and across Punjab including major cities of Islamabad, Rawalpindi and Multan.
Several residents of Lahore spent their weekend on the roads searching for petrol. "We left our house at six in the morning in search of petrol but it is nowhere to be found," said a resident of Lahore. Those who have managed to find petrol complain that it is being sold at inflated prices. "I paid Rs 200 per litre for petrol which is double than its normal price," said Naveed, a resident of Lahore. Frustrated with the lack of relief people have started protesting outside petrol stations chanting anti-government slogans and seeking the resignation of Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. Managing Director Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) Arif Hameed while talking to Business Recorder said that on the directions of the government in order to ease the current petrol crisis, the SNGPL has restored the supply of CNG stations in Lahore on Saturday till further orders. "To facilitate the public in overcoming extreme shortage of fuel, it has been decided that gas supply to CNG stations only in Lahore city shall be restored till further orders," Arif Hameed said. While answering the questions regarding the opening of CNG stations in other cities of the Punjab, Hameed said that no decision has been taken in this regard. He further said that that CNG stations in other parts of Punjab and Potohar region would remain closed.
Arif said that reopening of CNG filling stations in Lahore would provide a much-needed relief to the general public severely affected by non-availability of petrol. On the other hand, the decision of the government regarding opening of the CNG stations in Punjab has failed to provide relief to the people of Lahore as majority of the CNG stations remained closed in the city.
Chairman All Pakistan CNG Association Captain Shuja while talking to Business Recorder said that out of 270 CNG stations in Lahore only 70 to 75 stations were open because majority of the CNG stations were facing the problem of staff shortage as the SNGPL has disconnected gas supply to the CNG stations of Punjab for unlimited period due to extreme cold weather, adding that most of the CNG station owners had laid off their staff.