Punjab situation: CNG stations disobey gas closure order

Many industries use uninterrupted gas supply.

LAHORE: Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) is unlikely to enforce its decision to stop gas consumption by industrial units and CNG stations, as it has no mechanism to curtail gas supply to domestic and industrial sector separately, while gas pressure to domestic sector cannot be restored despite tall claims of SNGPL, The Express Tribune has learnt.

Sources from SNGPL told The Express Tribune that it does not have enough officials to raid units and CNG stations, and ensure gas curtailment. They added that industrial units in Sheikhupura and Sahiwal were using gas although the SNGPL had issued statements to stop gas consumption for the industrial sector.

CNG stations were working in different areas of Lahore on Sunday, while many industries used uninterrupted gas supply. CNG stations around Ferozepur Road, Johar Town and Township area continued to consume gas with lights switched off at their stations and displayed signboards saying “gas is not available.”

SNGPL had issued a notification saying it would curtail gas supply to industries and CNG stations in Punjab and Islamabad, in order to restore gas supply to domestic consumers. The decision was taken on Saturday night when the supply of gas was suspended to all industries and CNG stations around 8 pm.

Chairman Supreme Council All Pakistan CNG Association Abdullah Ghyas Paracha alleged that CNG stations disobeyed gas closure orders in connivance with SNGPL officials and bribed them instead of closing their stations.

Chairman All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills association (APTMA) Maqsood Ahmad Butt said that out of thousands of industrial units in Punjab, only those units which are not members of any association or organised body violate SNGPL decisions. He said that gas consumption by industrial units despite closure orders is not something the SNGPL can control, as it does not have an efficient mechanism to suspend gas supply to industrial and domestic sectors separately.

Rehan Nawaz, general manager retail sale in SNGPL, said that if any industrial unit or CNG station goes against SNGPL orders and uses gas then there is no other option except to raid the place and shut the supply. He said that if any consumer continues to consume gas in violation of orders, gas meters will have to be uninstalled. He denied allegations made by Paracha and said that no official of SNGPL could have a deal with CNG station owners, as gas consumption on the closure day could be checked from the meter.

Answering a query about low gas pressure to domestic consumers, he said SNGPL has already taken a tough decision and further steps will be taken to address their concerns.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 10^th, 2011.