ISLAMABAD: The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has started issuing licences for new CNG outlets based on RLNG after careful scrutiny of all the formalities.

The government has also lifted the ban on import of CNG kits. Import duty as well as sales tax have been slashed to encourage its imports.

The CNG Association argued that those measures would help the masses to get fuel that was 40 percent cheaper.

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Monday said that the government was promoting CNG to reduce urban pollution, cut oil import bill, and increase employment.

The government has taken a number of commendable steps including removing the ban on setting up new CNG stations, said Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, central chairman APCNGA.

Ghiyas Paracha said that now the latest CNG kits would be available in the country that would result in 15 percent extra mileage, resulting in savings.

He said that the availability of private imported LNG and other steps would trigger its usage and conversion of vehicles to environment-friendly economical fuel, which would help the masses save up to 40 percent in travelling costs.

The business leader noted that the government decisions would result in new investment, create almost 300,000 jobs, and this fuel would be made available in the areas, where it was not available earlier.

Promotion of this fuel will reduce urban pollution by 25 percent within two years, he said, adding that the CNG emits significantly less pollution than other fuels; therefore, it is being encouraged by dozens of countries.

He asked the government to ensure compliance by different subordinate departments for the success of the initiative.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020