Government is trying its level best to resolve all the pending issues the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) industry is facing in order to re-vitalise it which will benefit tens of millions of people, said Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday while talking to a delegation of CNG representatives led by Ghiyas Paracha at his Model Town residence.
Universal Gas Distribution Company (UGDC) Chairman Brigadier (r) Iftikhar Ahmed, petroleum secretary, SSGC MD, other top official and CNG representatives Captain (R) Raja Shuja Anwar, Mian Shahid and Munir Asghar were also present on the occasion.
The chief minister lauded the initiative of the private sector to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as it would balance demand-supply position, get CNG sector back on its feet and support the government’s efforts to tame energy crisis. He said that the government is serious about resolving energy crisis and it is encouraging to know that private sector is also trying the same.
He said the delegation to leave no stone unturned to ensure early availability of the LNG in the country to give a new life to ailing CNG sector and assured cooperation in this regard.
He directed the officials concerned to cooperate to resolve the issues of the CNG industry.
Earlier, Ghiyas Paracha said that serious efforts have been initiated to provide CNG to the masses for which LNG is being imported through private arrangement.
Pakistan has world’s number one CNG industry in which Rs 450 billion have been invested in which share of Punjab stands at Rs 350 billion, he informed.
He said that the government’s drive and our efforts will save the Punjab CNG sector which was going down day by day.
Availability of LNG for CNG would relieve 2.6 million vehicles owners from lines at CNG filling stations and they would save substantially in the fuel bill, he said, adding that it will have a positive impact on inflation, environment, oil import bill and job market.
The import of LNG would also contribute to the reduction in transportation costs that will directly benefit around 60 million people in the province, he added.
Ghiyas Paracha said that the LNG policy of the federal government is matchless and revolutionary which will give new strength to the dying CNG industry.