Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) has not issued instructions for closure of operational CNG stations across the country. However, it has granted permission to as many as 47 CNG stations for re-relocate their stations to new places, the National Assembly was informed on Thursday.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain, while replying to a question by MNA Nighat Parveen Mir, informed the house that CNG station to be closed after completion of 10 to 15 year of its operation as per the policy of the Ogra. So far none of the CNG stations has crossed the afore-mentioned time limit, however few of CNG stations are near the closure deadline. The Ogra also issued (Production &Marketing) licences to 13 out of 47 CNG stations for their operation at new sites after fulfilment of requisite formalities. The total daily quantity of gas being supplied to the CNG stations is 313 Million Cubic Feet per day (MMCFD) as of June 30, 2012, he added.
Dr Asim Hussain told the house that as many as 486 cases of adulteration in petroleum products have been reported since January 1, 2011 till date. The action taken by the Ogra against the petrol pumps of Pakistan State Oil Company Limited, which have been found involved in adulteration include: (i) possession/removal of the adulterated product by the OMC (ii) Issuance of warning letter or show cause to the company and (iii) suspension of the supply of product and credit facility.
To a question about the awarding contract of Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project to a Russian Company, Dr Asim Hussain told the house that Pakistan and Russia is negotiating possibilities of participation of Russian Companies in Pak-Iran Gas Pipeline Project for financing and implementation.
In this regard, the Russian side has recently informed through our Foreign Office that the company earlier nominated by Russian side has regretted to participate in the Project and alternatively proposed other entity for negotiation on the project, he maintained.
During question hour, MNA Shagufta Sadiq asked the Minister for Postal Services to inform the house about the year-wise total profit/income earned by the Pakistan Post during the last five financial years along with the details of total loss suffered by the entity during the said period.
Federal Minister for Postal Service, Sardar Al-Haaj Muhammad Umar Gorgaij stated in a written reply that the Postal Services earned profit in first two-year. However, it suffered loss over the last five finical year. The year-wise profit details of the Postal Services: the department earned profit of Rs 128.79 million in 2007-2008, Rs 404.19 million profits in 2008-2009. However, the department suffered loss in next three years, including Rs 145.89 million loss in 2009-2010, Rs 1, 893.10 million in 2010-2011 and Rs 4, 258.54 million in 2011-2012.