APCNGA threatens to observe strike

All Pakistan CNG Association has threatened a two-day strike on December 27 and December 28 if their demands of uninterrupted gas supply, restoring lease of 650 petrol pumps of Punjab and increase in the commission of petrol were not accepted by both provincial and federal governments, said Chairman Supreme Council (APCNGA).
Ghayas Abdullah Piracha while addressing a press conference along with the representatives of petroleum dealers and transporters on Tuesday. They also staged a protest at Liberty Chowk and block the road for more than an hour. He also said that there is a possibility that strike will be extended by one day and in these three days petroleum dealers and transporters will also participate in strike, he added.
Piracha said that there should be one day load shedding for CNG sector as it was announced by Prime Minister. He also threatened to stage a sit-in in front of the parliament house if their demands were not accepted. According to the SNGPL sources, the company has taken back the decision of closure of CNG stations for 12 hours a day.
Earlier, notices were issued to CNG stations by Sui Northern, to close CNG stations for 12 hours from 8am to 8pm daily. While CNG stations were already observing two-day load management on Monday and Tuesday. Ghayas Pracha demanded of the Punjab government to immediately took back the decision of auction of 650 petrol pumps and asked the federal government to revisit the commission on petrol to petrol pump owners and ended the unjustified gas curtailment to CNG stations.
He said the government should gave 0.50 rupee per litre commission which should be revisited. Similarly, he demanded the Punjab government to formulate a fair policy regarding auction of petrol pump sites by consulting both the associations in this regard. He said none from the owner of petrol pumps and CNG stations would participate in auction of 650-petrol pump, which was due on December 28 if they were not consulted.
Later, the representatives gathered at Liberty Chowk and condemned the closure of gas for the CNG stations. A large number of rickshaw and taxi drivers also joined them saying their businesses were ruined due to closure of CNG stations. The protestors took out a rally and blocked the road causing huge problems for the public. The protestors were holding banners and placards demanding of the government to save them from unemployment.
Addressing on the occasion, APCNGA Supreme Council Chairman Ghayas Abdullah Paracha said CNG sector is biggest tax payer to the government and consumes only six percent of gas but even then they were not getting supply of gas.
He said the government should end discriminatory attitude with the CNG sector and provide it gas of regular basis. He demanded of the government to end gas load shedding for the CNG sector and exempt this sector from load management. He said there are 2.5 million vehicles and wagons run on the CNG and due to increase in petrol and diesel prices, they rely on CNG.