CNG stations closure to increase gas prices: APCNGA

Rawalpindi:Central Chairman of All Pakistan CNG Association Ghiyas Paracha has expressed his concerns that closure of CNG stations will lead to further increase in gas prices as expensive LNG is being provided to the low tariff sector, this will lead to closure of business and unemployment leading to unrest in the country.

Paracha emphasised that CNG stations give up cheap local gas and switched over to expensive RLNG as they were assured continuity of the supplies, the 1,100 CNG owners deposited Rs12 laks per station as advance payment in order to ensure the continuous supply of gas but after depositing billions in the government kitty, the CNG Sector has been once again deprived of the imported gas whereas the same gas is being provided to the low tariff sectors. While CNG closure in Sindh is totally unfair as they are operating on local gas which is provincial resource.

This will lead to further increase in the gas prices and the circular debt. This vicious circle forces the government to increase the gas rates for the next 6 months and the general masses have to pay the price of unemployment and other consequences. Transport fares will rise up ultimately. So it will add to the miseries of masses, transporters and owners of CNG filling stations, said central chairman of APCNGA.

He added that this would also negate the Prime Minister initiative for the control of smog in urban areas.