LAHORE: Gas supplies to industries and CNG stations in Punjab remained suspended while pressure at domestic connections was low as well, on Tuesday. Businessmen asked Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to raise the issue with the prime minister, warning him that most of the industries in the province were about to close.
Pakistan Industrial and Traders Association Front (PIAF) Chairman Irfan Qaiser Sheikh and Vice Chairman Iqbal Baig Chughtai and Lahore Township Industries Association Senior Vice Chairman Shahzad Mughal said that discrimination with which Punjab was being treated was affecting lives of millions and was destroying the economy of the country’s largest province, adding that because of the deteriorating employment condition peace and security condition was at risk. They urged PM Gilani and CM Sharif to help them.
All Pakistan CNG Association Executive Committee Member Hasan Shah said Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL) was violating the orders of the prime minister and Economic Coordination Committee which had categorically announced uninterrupted gas supplies to CNG sector. “Besides two day closure in a week, SNGPL is also cutting gas from 7am to 10pm,” he said, adding that strikes will be held if the current situation persists. Domestic consumers were also not able to prepare their meals because of the low pressure.
“The domestic users are not getting gas even though SNGPL claims that it is facilitating them,” said a housewife Nasreen Akhter. Another domestic consumer Haider Ali said he is using LPG cylinders for a week then and it had increased his monthly budget.
