CNG stations across Sindh open after two-day torment

KARACHI: Compressed natural gas (CNG) stations across Sindh province reopened on Sunday after a two-day closure which had halted the life of citizens in the province.

Long lines of vehicles were seen on Sunday morning at CNG stations in Karachi and all other parts of Sindh as well.

There are a total 650 CNG stations in Sindh, of which 300 are in Karachi. The closure of these stations tormented commuters who could not reach their destinations. The cargo transport across Sindh was also badly affected.

It is a matter of great concern that people are being torments due to gas shortage despite having large gas resources in the country. Sindh also contributes a major share in the gas stock of the country.

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) had suspended gas supply to all CNG stations due to a shortage of 100 million square feet gas in its stock. The company’s spokesman said the decision had been taken to fulfil the demand of domestic and commercial customers. Both industrial and domestic consumers had complained of low gas pressure in most parts of Sindh, including Karachi.

The SSGC managing director, while speaking to the media that the gas shortfall had widened due to high demand during winter and urged industries to close the factories in industrial zones two days a week due to the gas crisis.

Earlier, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has written a letter to Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan in which he expressed serious concern over the gas crisis in the province.

In the letter, he pointed out that Sindh is the country’s largest gas producer, but was facing a gas crisis which should not have been the case as the production of gas in the province is between 2,700-3,000 MMCFD. “As per Article 158, the gas being produced excessively should be given to Sindh on a priority basis,” the CM urged in the letter.

On December 11, the SSGC had also halted gas supply to all the CNG stations in Sindh for an indefinite period. The gas supply had resumed after six days when Governor Imran Ismail and Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar intervened.