The CNG stations in the Punjab Capital and other cities of the province remained shut on the fifth consecutive day following the call of CNG Association in protest against reduction in gas price by OGRA after the Supreme Court’s decision.
The stations in Lahore region were scheduled to reopen on Thursday after the weekly three-day gas suspension, but majority of them kept their businesses closed
Long queues of vehicles were witnessed at a few filling stations that were open. Due to the extended closure of CNG stations, commuters and private transport owners are facing severe difficulties.
People, while expressing their anguish said that ‘CNG mafia’ is earning huge profits and still not giving any relief to the public, and are adamant on adding to their miseries.
They said that it is surprising that OGRA and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources were keeping silence over the strike and no action was taken against the CNG stations. They were of the view that since the bureaucrats were getting free petrol facility they were least affected and for the common man these officials are not concerned.
They appealed the Prime Minister to take immediate notice of the situation and order take over the CG station by police or army to run them and give some relief to the people.
The stations owners had said that it was not viable for them to sell the CNG at less prices fixed by the Ogra as it was causing huge financial loss to them.
Reacting to the owners claim, people question as to how the few stations were providing gas day and night if they were running in loss. They pointed out that theCNG owners were getting almost fifty percent profit which has come down to 5% and they are not ready to run the business knowing that ultimately the government would bow down to their demands.
