The All-Pakistan CNG Association (APA) Multan Chapter on Wednesday threatened to close gas stations in the country from January onwards if gas price is increased and brought at par with that of petrol.
Briefing the local journalists spokesman of the association said that central body meeting that was presided over by APA Chairman Tariq Kandan decided that more than two million vehicles would be unable to get the cheaper and environment-friendly fuel as a result of the closure of gas stations. He said the contemplated increase in gas prices would discourage investment and urged the government to take all this into account and review the existing CNG policy. The Multanites are passing through another ordeal as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) crisis started in the city along with the already soaring crisis of petrol scarcity.
Long queues of motorists were observed on Wednesday in most of the CNG stations in Multan and people were annoyed with the energy crises the country was facing. It has learnt that decision to shut down the dozens of stations has been taken jointly by the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) and the CNG Association in an attempt to counter the SNGPL's mounting deficit, which is now reported to have soared to 700 million cubic feet.