Closure of CNG stations on Fridays, Saturdays: people facing transport problems

The residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad are facing serious transportation problems on every Friday and Saturday due to closure of CNG stations.
According to a survey carried out by Business Recorder, the closure of CNG stations in the twin cities makes it difficult for government and private sector employees working in Islamabad as well as students in various educational institutions in the capital including Quaid-i-Azam University, Federal Urdu University, Islamic International University from reaching their destinations on time.
According to the gas load management plan, all the CNG stations in Potohar region remain closed on Friday and Saturday. According to a survey carried out by Business Recorder, the closure of CNG stations on Friday and Saturday allows taxi and rickshaw owners from taking full advantage of the situation by over charging.
Muhammad Imran compelled to purchase the more expensive petrol while waiting for his turn in a queue at an F-8 petrol pump said, "I don't understand what the government wants from the public. Inflation is already high and it is not possible for us to afford petrol two days a week." All Suzuki pickup vans, running as public transport, were seen standing at their main 'addas' as they had run out of gas, making it difficult for passengers to reach their destinations.
"Despite the fact that the poor people are paying all the taxes, they are still facing problems like gas load-management, power load-shedding, non availability of water, absence of civic facilities and suspension of traffic due to VVIP routes," said Immad Abbasi a passenger waiting for one number route van at Faizabad Bus Station.
A CNG station owner at Melody Market said that the government had changed its weekly schedule for closure of CNG stations, which is causing severe problems for the people, especially, those who cannot afford taxis. Malik Muhammad Sultan, President Rawalpindi/ Islamabad Transport Union while condemning the closure of CNG stations for two consecutive days, admitted that people were facing shortage of transport. He held government responsible for this situation.
When contacted government officials, they said that it had no other option other than closing CNG stations for two days a week due to shortage of gas. "High courts in Khyber Pukhtunkhawa and Sindh have given a stay against loadshedding in these two provinces," officials said adding that as per constitution, government has to fulfil the requirements first of the gas producing province.
During the current year, government was also providing gas to textile industry that has also caused rise in gas demand, the official added.