The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Sunday sought 7-day gas supply to compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations across the country as the change in weather has significantly subsided demand for gas.
In a statement issued on Sunday, APCNGA Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said the government must revisit the load shedding schedule for CNG sector and resume round-the-clock gas supply until next winter.
“Government must end discrimination and provide relief to the masses before the dissolution of assemblies because we have braved unprecedented gas load shedding which took a heavy toll on routine life, the country’s economy and foreign exchange reserves,” said Paracha.
Paracha further said reduced demand for gas has improved supply levels, adding that this fact can be verified from records of gas distribution companies. The government is left with no excuse to continue its policy of unjust distribution of resources, he said.
Expressing disappointment over the petroleum ministry’s continued silence on proposals by APCNGA to end the gas crisis, he said the government must take steps to rescue the CNG sector and ensure smooth functioning, especially in Punjab, which has been hit the hardest. Paracha said Punjab is being penalised by policymakers and remained exposed to high levels of load shedding compared to other provinces, solely for political reasons. He said foreign exchange reserves have touched alarming levels. In such a scenario, he said, the CNG sector can play a decisive role in cutting the import bill, providing some much-needed fiscal space.
Rulers must realise that Pakistan is set to witness widespread political chaos if it fails to create around one million jobs per annum without which economic instability will persist, Paracha opined. The handling of the energy crisis since several years is adding greatly to unemployment which poses a massive security threat to the country, Paracha said.
He demanded that an independent commission be formed to probe into the causes, consequences and the macroeconomic implications of the energy crisis and suffocation of the CNG sector. “Owners of the CNG filling stations will not accept deliberately engineered gas shortages anymore,” said Paracha.
