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Application to stay 3-day gas closure for CNG sector rejected

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The application was filed by All Pakistan CNG Association through its Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha in a pending matter against gas closure for CNG sector.

Earlier, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines limited (SNGPL) counsel appearing before the court submitted the record regarding supply and demand of gas.

He said that the SNGPL received 1,800 MMCFD gas which was supplied to all sectors including domestic consumers.

He said that the CNG sector in Punjab required 323 MMCFD gas, however, due to lack of availability only 123 MMCFD gas was being supplied to the CNG sector.

The petitioner's counsel said that 3-day gas closure was being observed on directions of Economic Coordination Committee which had no authority to issue such directions.

The APTMA's counsel submitted that the gas supply to CNG sector was a administrative matter and had no legal aspect.

He said that like CNG sector other industrial units were also closed, however, we should run the system jointly.

The court rejecting the application to stay 3-day gas closure for CNG sector observed that it was a matter of national interest and prima facie it appear that the SNGPL was handling the matter in a smooth way. The court also adjourned the hearing of main case.

The APCNGA submitted in his main petition that the CNG sector enjoy a small share of available gas whereas it was facing loadshedding more than its due share.

The petitioner-association submitted that fertilizer and ghee manufacturers could store products developed from the gas while the CNG sector had not any facility like this.

He said that the CNG owners started work on governments's guarantee for gas supply, therefore, priorities for gas supply be revised and its availability be ensured for CNG sector.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011