Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has forwarded a proposal to the petroleum ministry suggesting three months gas suspension for the CNG stations in the Punjab during winter. According to SNGPL officials the gas supply to CNG stations in Punjab due to expected severe gas shortage will remain suspended from December 1, 2013 to February 28, 2014.
The plan has been rejected by All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) saying that if the government implemented latest gas load management plan prepared by SNGPL the CNG association will arrange massive protest across the country. Saladin Chaudhry, Chairman APCNGA Potohar region terming the plan against the interests of masses, violation of law and agreements said that CNG body will take to the roads and streets in protest.
Complete gas closure for the critical Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) sector for the months in winter is not acceptable under any circumstances as it will add to the plight of masses, and hurt limping economy, he said. The government decision to deprive people of Punjab from CNG during December, January and February would face stiff resistance by the CNG operators, transporters and masses, he warned.
APCNGA has blamed the government that it has taken the decision to please influential sectors which will boost oil import bill, drain inadequate forex reserves, bring exchange rate under further pressure, affect balance of trade and pave way for heavy revenue losses.
The implementation of the plan will hurt tens of millions of people across the country, leave commuters in a lurch, result in widespread unemployment and degrade environment at an exceptional pace, he added. The latest plan is illegal as the government is bound to follow the agreement which clearly cites continuous supply of natural gas to CNG outlets for 365 days a year, adding that there is no mention of loadshedding in the agreements.
The leader of CNG sector has been allowed to work for two days a week despite the fact that it is the only sector of the country which has no other alternative for the natural gas, therefore it should get preference under all circumstances.
Reiterating the demand of CNG sector, he said that we don't have any alternative to natural gas, adding that continuous supply of natural gas to the CNG sector from morning to evening will help improve the situation. According to APCNGA the government would need to import up to 70,000 tons of additional petrol per month to bridge additional demand that would jump from 300,000 tons to about 370,000 tons per month.