The government has asked the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations of Sindh to convert to imported Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) while the representatives of Sindh CNG association have accused the federal government of hatching a conspiracy against the CNG outlets of the province. Abdul Sami Khan, Chairman Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association, talking to media after a meeting with the Petroleum Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbassi said that the federal government is forcing the CNG outlets of Sindh to remain closed for five days, but the association has rejected the plan.
"The government is asking us to use LNG instead of natural gas as there are plans to shut down the gas supply for the CNG in Sindh for five days and a complete shutdown in winters." "But we have decided to protest this unconstitutional decision by the government because the province has the first right over natural resources," Khan added.
A delegation of CNG sector and the petroleum dealers on Thursday met the petroleum minister to discuss the issues faced by the auto fuel retailers. "They want us to convert to LNG as the CNG sector in Punjab was doing, but this is unrealistic as it will increase the CNG price as compared to petrol," he added. He said that the government has decided to deregulate the CNG prices, as they were prior to 25-8-2008.
Khan said that if the government moves ahead with the decision to close CNG for five days in Sindh the CNG association as well as the petroleum dealers will protest against the decision. Speaking on the occasion, Malik Khuda Buksh, President CNG Station Owners Association Pakistan and part of the delegation that met the Petroleum Minister requested the government to withdraw the new Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC), as it would burden the CNG sector by increasing the cost of doing business.
The delegation coming from Karachi is scheduled to meet the Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani over the GIDC on Friday (today), as a high level committee of senators has already been formed to look into the issue of overcharging from the CNG stations by Ogra. "This is being imposed amid gas loadshedding which reduces operational time, electricity loadshedding - which enhances cost because generators are to be used during that time," Khuda Baksh added, "But the discrimination is that they are not planning to shut down CNG in KP - possibly because the provincial government there is aggressive against the centre." Petrol shortage: Meanwhile, petrol pumps in many parts of the country were beginning to face short supply of petrol and diesel from the Oil Marketing Companies (OMCS).
"The issue is not limited to one company level, but all the companies are facing fuel shortage and our orders were being delayed," said Haji Faisal Arif, president Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association North. He said that an order placed on May 23 for 10,000 litres is yet to be delivered, while the OMCs have asked to take a supply of 5,000 litres of diesel against the order of 20,000 litres.
"The situation is not limited to one company only and in any specific area but it is there all over the country," Haji Arif added. He said that the Petroleum Minister and Secretary Petroleum were apprised of the situation, so that they do not blame the petroleum dealers for any crises in coming days. An official of the Petroleum Ministry said that the short supply situation was only temporary, as some import consignments have been delayed. On the other hand, Abdul Sami Khan blamed the government for wrong planning. "This is mainly because they have blocked too much money in importing LNG and there is limited financial strength to import oil in appropriate quantity," he added.
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