As many as 1,080,000 vehicles were converted to the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) mode by June this year as compared to 500,000 in June 2004, thus marking an increase of 116 percent. Encouraging the use of CNG as an alternate fuel for automobiles is the government's policy to control environment degradation and save foreign exchange in import of liquid fuels.
Also, the number of operational CNG stations by June 2007 has risen to 1,488 against 546 in June 2004, hence increasing by 172 percent, according to a three-year performance report of the government.
In last three years, the government has taken various policy initiatives to enhance the overall availability of gas for domestic, industrial and other economically important uses such as power generation. During the same period, supply of gas was increased from 1,197 to 2,466 towns and villages, thus marking an increase by 106 percent.
Under Khushhal Pakistan Programme, 1,190 projects were launched under the government's directives at a cost of Rs 35 billion, with 19 billion funded by the government. About 715 projects have been completed while 475 are being implemented.
Production of gas in last three years has increased by 188 MMCFD, which is equivalent to about 1.64 million metric tonne of furnace oil per year worth $0.59 billion at an average price of $360 per metric tonne. In the power sector, 16 Works of 500 Kv costing to Rs 21.228 million have been completed during last three years to improve the capability of transmission system.
As many as 18 works costing Rs 34.869 billion for improvement of Transmission System, are under progress and are expected to be completed by June 2008. The Water and Power Regulatory Authority has given a record of 28,82,671 new connections during last three years. The connections include 25,67,744 domestic, 2,41,068 commercial, 28,866 industrial, 44,253 tube-wells and 740 other connections.