This was stated by Sindh Minister for Transport Akhtar Husain Jadoon while speaking at 7th CNG Conference and Exhibition CONEX 2011 at a local hotel on Thursday.

He said that President Asif Ali Zardari has asked Sindh government to convert all mini buses and passenger vehicles on CNG to provide a better and cheaper option for commuting.

Jadoon said that under a pilot programme, all the two-stroke auto rickshaws are being converted to four-stroke technology and switched to CNG in the first phase.

"It is our desire to convert all commercial and passenger, vehicles on CNG as this is "the solution" for energy crisis in the country", he added.

Referring to large CNG filling stations, he said that these should be improved and the government will provide all the support to private sector in this regard.

He said the oil prices are going to go up with the passage of time and the country cannot afford to import costly diesel for transport sector.

The minister noted that natural gas is produced in the country and we need to explore more gas fields to run our transport sector on CNG.

He noted that the city was facing a shortage of transport vehicles and the country and province need a modern transport system to facilitate our commuters.

Referring to his visit to Malaysia, he said that negotiations are on with a Malaysian company to set up modern bus terminals and public transport system in Karachi.

Responding to a demand for action against unauthorized CNG conversion centres, he said action will be taken.

Earlier, speakers at the conference underlined the need to convert smoke emitting old diesel public transport vehicles to CNG.

They talked about the efficient use of natural gas and exploration of new gas fields and use of Thar coal for power generation.

They included chairman All Pakistan CNG Association Junaid Makda, ED Transport Ateeq Baig, DMD SSGC Azim Iqbal Siddiqui, president Byco Petroleum Marketing, Petroleum Kalim A Siddiqui, chairman CNG Station Owners Association Malik Khuda Baksh and Majid Nawaz of Landi Renzo.