The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has opposed the restriction on filling of CNG in above 1,000cc vehicles. In an emergent meeting of FPCCI Standing Committee on CNG held at the Federation House to evaluate the government’s directive to suspend filling of CNG in all vehicles above 1000cc, Gulzar Firoz, Vice President FPCCI, strongly condemned the decision and termed it irrational, illegal, discriminatory and violation of basic rights of the consumers.
Chairman FPCCI Standing Committee on CNG Suleman H. Sulemanjee briefed the Vice President and Committee members that earlier the Ministry of Petroleum had moved a similar summary under the instructions of the previous government that was rejected by the ECC after extensive deliberations and arguments, declaring the policy as unjustified.
Subsequently the rejected summary by previous ECC members was presented to the caretaker PM, who has reportedly issued this illegal, unjustified directives without consultation with the stakeholders nor the proper procedure of issuing policy guidelines have been adopted. Khawaja Asif of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, noticing the extraordinary interference of the interim government beyond their purview and mandate, has also obtained a court stay order restricting the interim government from indulging in such activities.
It was also highlighted that a consumer having 1200cc old car with CNG valuing approx Rs 0.4 million is now forced to buy 800cc or 1000cc vehicle amounting to Rs one million in order to avail CNG. It appears that the decision may have been motivated in view of factors having mala fide intentions and the result would be suffering of the less privileged class who are the users of the inexpensive fuel to pass on the benefit to the privileged class.
