Hundreds of vans, mini-buses and buses, including city bus service, could be forced off the roads after the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) ordered CNG stations not to supply fuel to vehicles whose gas cylinders are fitted on the roofs or under the seats.
Ogra said that the decision was made for public safety after several incidents in recent weeks where passengers have been burnt to death due to CNG cylinders blasts in public transport vehicles.
The restriction does not apply to commercial vehicles, whose gas cylinders are placed under the carriage. But the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) said there was no evidence that CNG cylinders mounted on the roof of vehicles were more dangerous than cylinders attached to the undercarriage. "Some 50,000 buses, mini-buses and vans will be affected by this irrational decision," said Rana Shiraz Bashir, a spokesman of the APCNGA. "Ogra should not disregard international standards, which allow CNG cylinders to be placed on the tops of vehicles. "The city service buses plying on Multan-Muzaffargarh, Multan-Shujabad, Kabirwala, General bus stand and Muzaffarabad(MN) will be severely affected. Letters have been issued to all CNG stations to not sell gas to commercial vehicles that have CNG cylinders on rooftops or under the seats, said FBS General Manager Maqsoodul Haq.
Ibrahim Khan bus Company (IB) and Khan Bus Service (KB) managements said that the companies would move the Supreme Court against the government's "irrational decision". Muhammad Ibrahim Khan Chairman of IB said that urban transport had never been a lucrative business and the CNG buses should not be treated as commercial vehicles. "This decision will discourage other investors from coming here and investing in the transport sector. Other countries are promoting environment-friendly transport, unlike here."