All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Friday announced a countrywide protest schedule against the persistent gas load-shedding and the government plan to further jack up the CNG prices. Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA said that the countrywide protest would be in three stages starting July 13 from Southern Punjab and would end on July 22 in Karachi.
He said APCNGA demands resumption of gas supply for CNG sector throughout the week and keep CNG retail prices 40 percent less than petrol prices. The government has recently decided to increase the CNG prices as well as gas prices for domestic consumers, industry and fertiliser sector from 10 to 100 percent.
The CNG sector has completely rejected the government move to increase the CNG prices, saying that it would end their business after the increase in the difference between the petrol and CNG would end. If the difference between the CNG and petrol prices ended consumers would no more use CNG or stop plying their vehicles so under such conditions the CNG sector would collapse.
The owners of CNG stations have invested billions of rupees in the business and about 4 million vehicles are ruining on CNG including majority of public service transport. The government should not increase the CNG prices and it should also provide 7-day a week gas to CNG sector as per initial agreement, Paracha said.
The protest schedule comprises protest meeting, demonstration and rallies which will start from July 13 Wednesday from Rahim Yar Khan - Bahawalpur, July 14, Thursday Multan - Sahiwal, July 15, Friday Toba Tek Singh/Kamalia - Jhang - Faisalabad, July 16, Saturday; Sargodha, Mianwali, Khushab - Sheikhupura, July1 7, Sunday; Sialkot-Gujranwala, July 18, Monday; Gujrat, Khanrian - Jhelum and Chakwal, July 19, Tuesday; Peshawar, Mardan and Abbottabad, July 20, Wednesday; Rawalpindi and Islamabad, July 21, Thursday, Lahore and July 22, Friday, Karachi.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has declared the recent announcement of strike by All Pakistan CNG Association completely uncalled for, saying that after previous successful negotiations with the Petroleum Ministry.
A statement issued by the petroleum ministry here on Friday said APCNGA Chairman Ghayas Paracha in his negotiations has previously acceded that the CNG Association would hold a meeting with the SNGPL authorities to get to know the details of the current natural gas demand and supply situation and only then decide upon the continuation of indefinite strike.
Federal Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain has already provided assurance to the Chairman All Pakistan CNG Association about maintaining a price differential between CNG and petrol. The decision regarding gas pricing is still pending and the ministry of petroleum is not authorised to issue any kind of notification at this stage.
Supply of natural gas is provided to the domestic users, industry and the CNG Pumps as per their respective demands. However, it is the policy of government to ensure equitable distribution of natural gas among the various consumers. In the given situation, Ministry of Petroleum is of the view that the strike call by All Pakistan CNG Association is beyond comprehension and uncalled for, as it would increase the problems of the common man.