The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Saturday started its nationwide peaceful protest movement against the government over “planned victimisation of the CNG sector”.
In this regard, a protest meeting was held at the Bahawalpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting was attended by CNG operators arriving from Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Lodhran, Bahawalnagar and adjoining areas. The meeting observed with concern that Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain had promised APCNGA leaders to end gas load shedding from February 1; however the meeting observed that the promise was not kept.
Speaking on the occasion, APCNGA Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said that all recent developments point at “the plan to destroy the CNG sector to introduce expensive liquid gases in the country to earn billions in the shortest possible time”. The ongoing “artificial gas crisis” and unjust distribution of gas by penalising Punjab is part of the plan hatched by those who matter the most in the current coalition, he said.
APCNGA Bahawalpur Chairman Mian Shahid also spoke on the occasion while reposing confidence in the Paracha’s leadership. Lauding the courts, Shahid said that masses and CNG sector would get relief after March 16, when the new setup will be installed.
During the meeting, the CNG stakeholders decided to reopen CNG stations by force and resist attempts by any government department to keep filling stations shut in violation of court orders.
The meeting passed a resolution for immediate dismissal of Dr Asim, who they held responsible for the worst-ever energy crisis in the history of the country. They strongly condemned the unprecedented power and gas load shedding in the country. The members said that the disaster was the result of record corruption by the ruling cabal, which comprised of the most notorious people ever. CNG station owners also asked the Punjab government and police to refrain from taking any action that would be tantamount to contempt of court. The second protest meeting would be held in Multan on Sunday.