RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) while rejecting hike in CNG prices asked the government to review the decision, saying it would put extra burden on masses especially commuters.

Daily commuters will be badly hit by the increase in CNG price as 90 percent public transport of the country is using Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).

Chairman APCNGA, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said Pakistan was the leading CNG user country with approximately 4 million vehicles both public and private using this locally produced fuel.

Criticizing the government decision, he said the government during last few months has increased CNG prices by Rs 16 per kg, adding its price was Rs 44 in July 2008 which reached Rs 78 per kg in March 2012 and after the current hike it hit almost Rs 90 per kg.

Paracha said on one hand, it has been the government policy to encourage CNG use in public transport as it is environmental friendly but on the other, its price is being pushed up continuously.

Presently, 1000 CNG buses are plying in Karachi, 200 in Sialkot and recently the CNG buses have been introduced in Rawalpindi. The Punjab government has also ordered import of 2000 buses from China.

Ghiyas Paracha said GNG consumers in Punjab are forced to use more than 2 billion litres of petrol in a single day, when CNG station closed due to load management, thus costing an extra burden on their pocket. He termed the recent increase as unjustified and alleged it was part of efforts to cover up the gas theft of SNGPL and SSGC. These companies say they are mounting efforts to curb theft of gas.

He said that losses of gas because of weaknesses and companies' poor networks should not be recovered from the pockets of consumers.

Ghiyas said, "We appeal to Federal Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources, Dr Asim Hussain to take action against the elements involved in gas theft in order to provide relief to consumers."