All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) Central Chairman Captain (r) Shuja Anwar said on Thursday that it was fifth month in a row that CNG stations in Punjab have been keep closed intentionally.
He said poor people were forcing costly fossil fuel which was contributing to pollution and enhanced oil import bill. Speaking at a press conference, he said the government had restored supply of natural gas to all sectors but CNG as weather has normalised leaving them with no option but to opt for protests.
He said every person in country has a right to operate any business but their basic rights have been snatched forcing many owners into bankruptcies while tens of thousands have been left unemployed.
Captain Shuja said that CNG sector had helped the government in transforming the import of LNG into a reality and in return they too deserve support on merit.
The CNG industry operated for 17 per cent of the time in 2014 in Punjab replacing 1.28 billion litres of petrol, he said, adding that 100 per cent operation would have saved 3.77 billion of precious foreign exchange while supporting environment and poor commuters.
The leader of the CNG sector said on one hand gas utilities were harassing CNG operators while on the other authorities had pushed them to the wall putting CNG industry in an unprecedented trouble.
He said depriving Punjab’s CNG industry of gas was highly unfortunate, so the CNG operators facing the wrath of authorities should be immediately compensated.