They are of the viewed though the weekly closure is considered to be one of the efficient practice for mitigating the energy crisis but the public transporters are equally indulged in exploiting the loadshedding.

" The load-shedding at CNG stations provides opportunity to the public transporters to charge extra fare, keep their vehicles off roads or not to complete their routes," Matiullah Khan, private firm employee said.

He was of the viewed the fare list was always worked out according to the petrol price, thus, adding it was unethical on the part of transporters to charge extra amount during CNG loadshedding days.

He said the taxi cab drivers also kept their vehicles off the road and those who come on roads overcharged the passengers on the pretext of gas loadshedding.

When a traffic sergeant was informed about the situation, he said, the traffic warden expressed his helplessness, only saying due to gas loadshedding, the transporters were not being provided gas and they have to run their vehicles on petrol.

Similarly, a large number of the passengers who are working specially in the Federal Capital have complained that public transporters of route-21 especially did not ply their vehicles after sun set during gas loadshedding hours.

Moreover, passengers have also complained that public transporters are overstaying their vehicles at various stops causing inconvenience, especially in hot summer days.

Mir Janan, a taxi driver opined that there were always several options and the concerned authorities should have taken all stakeholders on board prior to announcing the extended gas loadshedding.

"People have to face great difficulties due to the closure of CNG stations as they cannot afford petrol for their vehicles, compelling transporters to either keep our vehicle off the road or charge extra," he added.

" Our land is gifted with immense natural resources the only need is to explore the country's wealth and divert it for masses's prosperity and development," Naqibullah, a private school teachers observed.

Another student commuter, Zahid Saleem said as per government's commitments CNG sector had first right on gas saved from the private sector's power stations.

He was of the viewed there was no gas shortage in the country but some vested interest were trying to create these issues.

He said being a fuel of the poor people and millions of vehicles were run by the same, the government needed to take solid steps to provide inexpensive mode of transportation to the people and keep the economic wheel moving.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011