A significant number of CNG stations have been closed due to gas shortage or low gas pressure which is creating serious problem for public and private vehicles plying on gas. According to CNG Association, the CNG business has been suffering for the last two months due to increased price of gas, gas load shedding and low gas pressure.
In various parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, deputy commissioners imposed section 144 and directed CNG stations either to close their business or open their business for only 4 hours.
In Punjab, Sahiwal, Mian Channo and other areas are also facing acute shortage of gas and this is also affecting CNG stations. Long queues of vehicles were seen at CNG stations. Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) has informed the Petroleum Division that the company will close CNG stations for a few days to meet the gas shortfall in Sindh. The SSGCL is facing a shortfall of 300 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas. The SSGCL has already suspended gas supply to all CNG stations due to low gas pressure on Thursday and gas stations will resume operations today (Saturday) at 8am.