The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has demanded the government to relieve the sector of too many taxes. The association has tabled the demand through its recommendations for the budget of financial year 2016-17.
The government had started increasing the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) price in 2010 to save the natural resource. The gas now costs 30 per cent less than petrol compared to previous difference of 70 per cent. The price hike was implemented by imposition of different taxes on the sale.
The association’s chairman in South Zone, Shabir Suleman, in an interview said that the sector should be taxed under normal regime like any other industry. He demanded the government to end double taxation.
A portion of the sector had quit the business owing to long power outages leading to massive losses, however, the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from Qatar and accords with different countries have revitalised the industry to some extent. At least 600 gas pumps are continuing with the sale these days. Owners of CNG stations say the government needs o withdraw different taxes to revive the fallen sector. Members of the association stated that at least 50 per cent of their income went to the national treasury.