CNG dealers call off strike after failure

LAHORE – After failing to put any credible pressure on the government, the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday decided to withdraw its call for an indefinite strike across Punjab. APCNGA Supreme Council Chairman Ghiyas Paracha said that the strike had been called off in Lahore, Gujranwala and Multan.
However, CNG stations in Attock, Jehlum, Sargodha, Jhang, Bhawalpur Region, Rahim Yar Khan and Sadiqabad would continue the closure. Sources within the association said the decision was made after biting the dust, as the strike had been a failure and the APCNGA had no option but to call it off. “There was no closure in Lahore and majority of stations remained opened and it was a failure on part of the association, as it failed to push stations for closure and put pressure on the government,” the sources said.
He said that the association had no option but to call the strike off. However, Paracha was of the view that the association called off strike due to the prime minister after he took notice of the strike. He said the strike had been a success. Meanwhile a delegation of CNG station owners met Punjab Governor Latif Khosa and conveyed their problems to him. They earlier held a protest outside the Governor’s House and demanded the government restore gas supply to CNG stations.
On Wednesday, the APCNGA had apologised to consumers for the closure of CNG station across Punjab, but vowed to continue the strike indefinitely until the acceptance of their demands were accepted by the government. APCNGA Supreme Council chairman Ghiyas Paracha had told reporters that the APCNGA had gone on strike for the betterment of the people, in order to enable them buy affordable fuel throughout the week.
He had criticised the government’s decision to continue two days per week CNG closure, saying there was no justification for the move during summer.Consumers had faced difficulties on Wednesday across Punjab when even petrol stations had stopped selling petrol to show solidarity with striking CNG station owners.