To facilitate the people on the occasion of Eid, CNG filling stations in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Jhelum, Attock, Chakwal, Faisalabad and Bahawalpur will remain open upto November 10.
This was stated by Central Chairman of All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) Ghayas Abdullah Paracha on Friday.
He said that people in large number have to go to their native towns and home cities to celebrate Eid with their dear ones, similarly after Eid they have return their homes.
The CNG Association and government have decided that the closure of CNG stations would add to the sufferings of people on Eid occasion so it would remain open till November 10.
Meanwhile, a meeting was held at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources under the chairmanship of Federal Minister Dr Asim Hussain. Alongwith others Muhammad Ijaz Chaudhry, Secretary Petroleum, senior officers of the Ministry, MD SNGPL, MD SSGC, representatives of textile industry, fertilizer, CNG and power sector also attended the meeting.
The meting took review of the natural gas load management programme and to evolve a consensus on gas distribution during winter season.
It was decided in the meeting that gas load management schedule for CNG sector would be relaxed and supply of gas would be available for CNG stations on Friday and Saturday to facilitate the general public in view of Eid-ul-Azha. Representatives of CNG association agreed to conduct meetings with SNGPL to examine the situation of supply of natural gas thereafter.
Addressing the meeting, Dr Asim Hussain said that natural gas would be provided to all stakeholders on equitable basis and relief on priority will be provided to domestic consumers during winter. He said this while presiding a meeting today that was convened in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources
Dr Asim Hussain assured the stakeholders that no sector would be neglected while distributing natural gas as the government follows the policy of equitable distribution without any favouritism. Chairman APTMA agreed to the three days a week gas load management schedule in view of the current gas shortage scenario.
The Secretary, Petroleum & Natural Resources emphasised that all the stakeholders must evolve a consensus on gas load management as shortage adversely impacts all sectors and stated that all efforts are underway to add natural gas to the system. Secretary Petroleum issued directions to OGDCL, SNGPL and SSGC in this regard.
After a marathon session ending at 2200 hrs, a consensus was evolved by all stakeholders during the meeting. It was decided to restart supply of natural gas to the important fertilizer sector given the shortage in the market and rising prices of fertilizer. It was also agreed that supply of gas to Engro Fertilizers Company Limited would be shifted from SNGPL network to SSGC network. It was agreed upon that 75 mmcf Gas supply would continue to be provided to the power sector.
It was also decided that during the winter season stakeholder meetings shall be held on monthly basis to apportion gas to the various sectors according to availability. Secretary Petroleum directed that decisions taken in today’s meeting be implemented as of Friday 4th November, 2011.
