Ghayas Abdullah Paracha, chairman of the APCNGA Supreme Council, on Thursday asked the government to restore gas supply to CNG filling stations within two or three days, otherwise the association would have no option but to open outlets without consent of authorities.
Addressing a protest rally at Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore, part of APCNGA’s nationwide protest demonstrations against CNG closure and objectionable policies, Paracha said that staff of the CNG stations had no food to eat and nothing to cater for the needs of their families since several months.
Paracha said, “We cannot cooperate with government anymore over the cost of massive losses, the government’s reluctance to bring gas load shedding to an end amounts to forcing us to take law into our own hands.” He said the government was trying to sabotage the long march of Dr Tahirul Qadri by creating an artificial shortage of diesel and CNG.
“Gas has been suspended despite improvement in weather conditions, which proves ill intentions of the government.” Earlier, the protestors blocked the Motorway link road, burnt tyres and chanted slogans against illegal load shedding. The protesters included CNG operators, unemployed workers of CNG outlets, drivers, transporters, private vehicle owners and masses who were braving gas supply disruptions at homes. The protestors were led by APCNGA leaders Captain (r) Shuja, Majid Ansari, Irfan Ghouri, Samiuddin and Alim Butt.
The Rickshaw Union was also represented by Majeed Ghouri and Baghi Khan while transporters were represented by the Khokar Group.
The protesters condemned load shedding and unjust distribution of gas and called it against the rights of masses. They demanded immediate removal of Dr Asim, adviser to PM on energy, due to his controversial decisions and changes in the CNG policy. “The adviser has left millions of workers in CNG stations and workshops jobless while investments in the CNG sector to the tune of Rs 400 billion are at stake,” the protesters said.
