All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) Friday said that influential oil mafia is pushing the country towards an artificial gas crisis which is hurting the public interests. "Gas supply has been discontinued to the CNG sector and we will initiate countrywide protests if supply is not resumed till Monday next," said the Central Chairman of APCNGA Brig Iftikhar Ahmed (retd).
Ahmed said that influential oil mafia targeted CNG stations in the southern part of the country and now it wants to target the CNG sector in the north. The CNG business is being destroyed with the support of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) as the CNG stations have been closed for fifteen days, he alleged.
The leader of the CNG association alleged that the country is intentionally pushed towards the gas crisis to cause profit for oil mafia while the fact-finding committee formed to probe the matter was also influenced by the same mafia.
"The probing officials gave a clean-chit to all the officials concerned; therefore, we reject its findings and demand another investigation so that an action could be taken against those responsible for the crisis," he said.
He said that CNG is Rs 450 billion industry which pays the highest tariff for gas while it pays for RLNG in advance but it is being targeted for ulterior motives.
According to Petroleum Division, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) has tightened its noose around gas thieves by conducting a number of raids during the last few days.
An SSGCL team observed that the owner of a hotel in Malir Cantt was stealing gas through direct line. Restaurant owner named Muhammad Sabir was using 650 CFT/ HR gas.
The raiding party disconnected the rubber pipes and other material being used in theft and arrested Muhammad Sabir. Similarly, a raid was carried out on KDA Flats, Gulshan Shiraz, Surjani Town, Karachi, where gas thieves were stealing gas by using rubber pipes which were confiscated, with theft load to be charged accordingly. Crackdown against such culprits will be more intensified in future since rising theft cases badly affect the company's financial position.
Meanwhile, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited organised an awareness walk in the federal capital on Friday in collaboration with Punjab Group of Colleges for gas conservation and control of gas theft during winter season. Federal Minister for Petroleum Ghulam Sarwar Khan along with Managing Director Amjad Latif led the walk on energy conservation.
The SNGPL management and staff, students, journalists and members of civil society participated in the walk that started near 1-8 Imambargah and finished at 1-8 Markaz. Participants were carrying banners and placards about gas conservation, safe usage of gas and control of gas theft.
Addressing the journalists on the occasion, Ghulam Sarwar Khan said that along with economic crisis, the country is also facing energy crisis. Gas and oil import bill is $ 17 billion per annum.
There should be judicious usage of oil and gas. The gap between supply and demand of gas is increasing. Solar heaters and solar geysers are available in markets. In winter season people also die due to usage of gas heaters. Gas heaters are not healthy for human life. Natural gas should not be over-exploited, said the minister.
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