KARACHI: It is disturbing to see that our priorities are completely misplaced when it comes to the use of our scarce natural gas resources. It is high time that we acknowledged the fact that the demand for natural gas has exceeded its supply and we should get our priorities aligned in terms of using gas resources where there is potential for the most economic benefits in the long run.
It is an interesting fact that Pakistan is the 27th largest producer of natural gas, however, it is ranked number one in using CNG as a fuel alternative. In my opinion, the larger economic benefit in using CNG as a fuel substitute is negligible compared with if the same gas is used for domestic and industrial purposes. We are the same consumers who queue up at CNG stations to fill up our fuel tanks and yet, we protest when our stoves are out because of lack of domestic supply.
I agree that it is the government’s responsibility to provide its citizens with affordable fuel for vehicles, however, as citizens, we should take responsibility for our own actions. As an immediate measure, the government should stop the supply of natural gas to all four-wheeler private vehicles. In the long run, the government should start phasing out the use of CNG in public transport, too, since apart from this being a huge burden on our natural gas resources, it also poses a significant danger to the safety of passengers. The transport industry will naturally pass on the difference in fuel cost in the form of increase in fares and to avoid this, the government can subsidise the fuel cost difference.
Natural gas is a valuable resource for the people of Pakistan, so let us all work together in preserving this commodity.
Fakhar Halai
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2013.
