The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday held Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim responsible for the energy crisis which has resulted in economic downturn, sluggish growth and massive unemployment. Energy crunch will remain a serious challenge confronting the country unless the incompetent Advisor Petroleum is removed, said APCNGA Chairman Supreme Council Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha. Speaking at a press conference, he said the artificial crisis of gas should be settled immediately, restoring supply to industries and CNG filling stations across Punjab according to the former schedule otherwise they would launch a countrywide protest movement from February 2. He said the APCNGA will start its protest from Bahawalpur which would be followed by a protest in Multan and Vehari on February 3 while a rally would be taken out in Faisalabad on February 4, in Gujranwala on February 5 and afterwards in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi. Paracha warned that sit-ins would be staged in Lahore and Islamabad on February 10th if authorities fail to accept the legitimate demands of the CNG sector. He said the incompetence of Dr Asim had paralysed the whole country and the critical energy sector which has caused closure of hundreds of thousands of businesses and left millions of poor jobless triggering multiple social problems in this era of double digit inflation. The leader of the CNG sector added the LPG-air mix and LNG import projects are scams of bigger magnitude having far more serious repercussions than the infamous Rental Power Projects in which the nation was deprived of billions. The moves regarding liquid gas have been initiated to benefit a few influential and crook businessmen at the cost of the country which should not be tolerated, he said. Reposing full confidence in the private sector energy experts, Paracha said the energy crisis can be resolved within a few months if a high-powered committee is formed having full representation of the private sector.
