ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has expressed optimism the government would resolve all outstanding issues of the CNG sector in order to extend relief to consumers.

The association's supreme council chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha says in a press release the assurance in this regard was given in a meeting held on the directives of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

The meeting was chaired by MNA Pervaiz Malik, which was attended by Minister for Energy Ch. Sher Ali, Secretary Energy, Chairman Planning and Development and other officials while the CNG association was represented by Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, Abid Hayat, Captain (retd) Shuja, Fayaz Gillani, Anjum Niaz and Ashar Haleem.

He said Government of Punjab assured resolution of all the outstanding problems of the CNG industry including inequitable distribution of gas, misuse of natural gas through violation of laws.

He said, MNA Pervaiz Malik assured all out support to the representatives of the CNG sector saying that government will not allow anyone to hurt any business and that it would provide level playing field to all.

During the meeting, the leaders of the CNG sector pointed towards elements involved in theft, misuse and unauthorized use of natural gas. They said that those who want to generate electricity through gas should have separate meters for it.

Ghiyas Paracha said that CNG sector is being destroyed due to unjust gas distribution, extended load shedding and violation of rules and regulations by different departments.

He said that gas sale agreements have openly been violated knowing that CNG industry has no alternative. He said that situation is horrible in Punjab where owners of 2200 CNG filling stations are at the brink of destruction.

Demanding announcement of 10-year CNG policy, he said that government should include CNG operators in the process of LNG import or help us to import it to settle the energy crisis.