Amid hike in petrol price, reopening of CNG stations a relief

Islamabad
Though upset by the likely increase in petrol price, motorists have found the imminent reopening of local CNG stations after four months long closure to be a relief.
The watchdog for oil and gas sector, Ogra, has recommended increase in the prices of petroleum products up to 15 per cent for March amid the announcement of the gas utility, SNGPL, about the resumption of the supply of the cheaper fuel to CNG stations in Punjab and Islamabad from the middle of the month. Despite the fact that it is up to the government to accept the recommendation wholly or partly or reject it outright, the greater likelihood of hike in oil prices has not sat comfortably with motorists, who are worried about increase in their fuel expenditure.
“During the current times of growing inflation and declining purchasing power, the news of oil rate increase by 15 per cent is not welcome at all. It is going to stress out every member of the salaried class by increasing their petrol expenses,” said BPS-17 government employee Muhammad Sarwar, who owns a small 800cc car. He complained that the government didn’t reduce oil prices in line with trends in international market during the last five months and even taxed the people’s relief to achieve tax targets but now when the international petroleum prices have seen a little upward movement, ironically it has taken no time in surging fuel rates in the country. However, some insisted thought they had benefited from the oil prices falling to a record low during the last four months, they would be little affected by higher petrol rate.
“When CNG stations were closed in November, the petrol price began to slide and kept sliding for the next four months to reach the lowest level ever to our relief. Now when the petrol price is likely to surge, it will have little negative bearing on my budget as filling stations are set to resume sale of cheaper CNG in a fortnight,” opined Kamran Jan, a druggist, who has a 1000cc automobile.
Cabbies, too, insisted resumption of CNG sale would ease their livelihood problems and stresses caused by the use of high-priced petrol over the last four months.