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‘CNG suspension an attack on mobilisation, business’

* SNGPL makes 4 zones for load shedding, supply to each zone to be suspended for 2 days a week

By Nauman Tasleem

LAHORE: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) and consumers have termed the government’s decision to suspend CNG supply for two days a week “an attack on mobilisation and the business”.

Consumers said it would be impossible for them to manage without CNG for two days, and they would ultimately have to shift to the more expensive fuel, petrol.

APCNGA Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said the gas consumed only 5.4 percent of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) supplies, adding that closing CNG stations would not provide the desired results for the company. He said the decision would only create problems for the masses and adversely affect the business of CNG station owners.

Zones: The SNGPL has made four zones for gas load shedding and every zone would be closed for two days. Lahore falls in Zone-I, Rawalpindi and Islamabad in Zone-II, the rest of Punjab in Zone-III and NWFP in Zone-IV.

Gas load shedding at CNG stations would start from November 15th and Lahore would be shut down in the first phase. “There are 2,300 CNG stations and 3,500 industrial connections in Punjab and it is not possible to manage these connections on a rotational basis,” Paracha said, adding that there would be long queues of consumers at filling stations a day before gas supply would be suspended, which would create problems for the public as well as filling station owners. “CNG is a daily-use fuel and one cannot store it in his/her vehicle for two days,” he said.

Paracha said the SNGPL was facing a gas shortfall of around 130-150 million cubic feet (MCF), while CNG consumed around 150 to 160MCF. “Even if CNG is suspended for two days, the government will save a maximum of 40MCF. In any case, there will be a shortfall of at least 120MCF,” he said. Consumers said they would have to shift to petrol during the CNG load shedding days, which would increase their expenses. “I used to spend Rs 250 per day on CNG. In case I resort to petrol, I will have to pay Rs 400-450,” said Akhter Hussain, a motorist. He said the decision would only add to the petroleum import bill.

“Everyone will try to get CNG ahead of the two days,” said another motorist, adding that it would be an attack on the mobilisation of masses, as a large number of rickshaws also use CNG and they would end up increasing their fares.

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