Petroleum ministry not authorized to issue notification on gas pricing now

ISLAMABAD: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has said the decision regarding gas pricing is still pending and it is not authorized to issue any kind of notification at this stage.

Terming the recent announcement of strike by All Pakistan CNG Association uncalled for, saying it would increase problems for the common man.

The CNG association following a meeting on June 8 announced countrywide strike to press the government for fulfilling its demands of decreasing CNG loadshedding for filling stations and keeping CNG price 40 percent lower than petrol price.

The ministry's spokesman said the CNG Association Chairman Ghayas Paracha in his negotiations has previously acceded that the CNG Association would hold a meeting with the SNGPL authorities to get to know the details of the current natural gas demand and supply situation and only then decide upon the continuation of indefinite strike.

He said Federal Minister for Petroleum Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain has already provided assurance to the Chairman All Pakistan CNG Association about maintaining a price differential between CNG and petrol.

He said supply of natural gas is provided to the domestic users, industry and the CNG Pumps as per their respective demands. However, it is the policy of government to ensure equitable distribution of natural gas among the various consumers.

Thus, "In the given situation, Ministry of Petroleum is of the view that the strike call by All Pakistan CNG Association is beyond comprehension and uncalled for,after previous successful negotiations with the Petroleum Ministry and the strike would increase problems of the common man," he said.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011