In the wake of fast depleting natural gas resources in the country, the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has finally issued marketing licence to a private LPG Company for setting up first ever LPG Auto Gas Station in Sialkot. This licence represents a breakthrough for the LPG Industry which has been struggling to establish Autogas Stations in conformance with Ogra's stringent safety standards.
More than 10 million vehicles operate on Autogas globally and the fuel is gaining popularity due to its environmental friendliness and the ease with which it can be made available, Belal Jabbar, CEO of LPG Autogas Station said while talking to Business Recorder.
According to him, the first-ever LPG Autogas station will start its operation in Sialkot within one week. With this, the Autogas market in Pakistan is expected to mushroom in the coming years, as LPG is emerging as a popular alternative to CNG. It may be mentioned that LPG is used in most of the European countries being environmentally friendly and cheaper fuel.
Belal Jabbar said that the issuance of this licence has finally put an end to the debate as to whether Autogas stations will ever be established in the country. 'The path is now clear for the LPG Industry and all stakeholders to work together for the development of Autogas stations. The success of one station depends on the establishment of more,' he added.
He thanked the LPG Association of Pakistan for its unreserved support and also the Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority, Ministry of Petroleum and Ministry of Industries for facilitating the issuance of the licence. According to him, the Auto sector accounts for more than 50 percent of the total LPG consumed in Pakistan; albeit through illegal decanting which poses a serious risk.
'Autogas stations will help in eliminating this menace whilst providing rickshaws and four wheelers with an alternative to petrol and CNG. Experts of the field told this scribe that with the setting of LPG Autogas stations across the country, not only the vehicles user will get cheap fuel but it will also help minimise environmental pollution.