The CNG stations went on unannounced strike countrywide against the reduced prices of the gas with owners saying they cannot sell it on the reduced prices as sanctioned by the Supreme Court (SC).
The CNG Association Chairman Ghayas Paracha said he did not give the strike call, as the station owners are shutting down the filling stations of their own accord, as it is loss worth Rs.12 per kilogram of the gas to them.
In Hyderabad, the owners began closing down their stations, saying the effort is being made to destroy the CNG sector, adding they cannot run this business on the renewed prices.
In Peshawar also, the gas stations were closed down. The CNG Association’s provincial president Pervez Khatak said they made the decision out of their own free will.
Some owners had already shut down their stations; however, the most stations were kept open in respect of the holy month of Moharramul Haram. However, now every owner has decided to halt the sale of the gas, in defiance of the judicial order.