The supply of natural gas to 40 percent of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations operating in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad has temporarily been suspended aiming to ensure its uninterrupted provision to domestic consumers, official sources said on Monday.
'The gas consumption has swelled with the sudden cold wave, therefore, its supply to 30 to 40 percent CNG stations falling in the areas of low gas pressures has temporarily been suspended,' sources in Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL), Islamabad Region told APP. They were of the view that it is a 'temporary phase' and as soon as the prevailing cold wave declines, the gas supply to these affected CNG stations would be fully restored.
When asked that whether there is any plan to cut or curtail gas supply to CNG stations during the winter season on regular basis or under any schedule, they said, 'Absolutely not, the government has no such intention.' Presently, they said the load management formula is being applied in consultation with all stakeholders to effectively cope with the situation emerged in the peak winter season.
Meanwhile, motorists continued to face great hardship in getting CNG on Monday, the third consecutive day following the partial closure of its outlets, mainly due to non-availability of gas. Long queues were witnessed outside the working gas stations, where motorists reached after roaming around the twin cities.
A commuter, Muhammad Farhan said he saw vehicles standing in queues stretching over more than half kilometre area along both sides of a gas station near Niazian, a rural area of the capital.
While, a motorist Qasim Khan lined up at a gas station along Islamabad highway said, it would take about two to three hours to near his turn to refill the gas cylinder. 'I will reach my office in the afternoon instead of 8 am just because of inordinate delay in refilling process,' he said.
It was the general impression that CNG outlets have been closed following the strike call of All Pakistan CNG Association (APA) in protest of recent increase in gas price. When contacted, Central Chairman, APA, Tariq Kandan rejected the impression saying that the association has not given any strike call. 'If some outlets are not providing CNG, definitely there will be some problem of low gas pressure,' he added.
However, Kandan said that earlier the APA had given a countrywide strike call but it was put off following the positive response and assurance of the ministry to mitigate hardships of CNG station owners. Tariq Kandan expressed satisfaction over the recently held negotiations with Ministry of Petroleum with regard to reviewing the existing CNG policy.
Terming the dialogue 'fruitful', he thanked Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain for giving assurance to address grievances of CNG associations.
'We believe in settling the matter through negotiations instead of adopting any way of agitation,' he added. Kandan further said that the ministry of environment has declared CNG is environment-friendly fuel so the government should evolve an effective strategy for promotion of this industry. He said investors seeing conducive atmosphere and potential in CNG sector have so far invested about Rs 180 billion in this sphere.