CNG stations strike in Lahore

Stations in Lahore and much of Punjab remain closed on Wednesday to observe a strike against SNGPL's gas loadshedding.

The CNG owners observed a strike against gas load shedding and most of the CNG outlets remained closed in Punjab on Wednesday.

Oil marketing companies did not take part in protest and
continued sale of petroleum and gas products in the provincial capital. The strike was observed on the appeal of All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA).

The Senior Vice President of the association Capt (Retd) Shuja
Anwar said that almost 90 per cent of 2230 CNG stations in
Punjab and 98 per cent of 450 stations in Lahore remained closed on Wednesday to show solidarity with the association’s appeal.

He said that a complete strike was observed in Sahiwal, Okara, Multan, Rawalpindi and other parts of the province by CNG stations. He said the strike would continue for an indefinite period and CNG stations would also remain closed on Thursday, with a rally to be organized from Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Governor House at 11.00 am.

To a query about the negotiation with the SNGPL, he said
dialogues had failed because the company was not ready to
accept our demand for uninterrupted gas supply to CNG stations. He said the SNGPL was under pressure from IPPs, Textile and
Fertilizer sectors who were being given a priority at the cost of CNG
stations.

On the other hand, motorists were feeling the pinch due to closure of CNG stations and a large number of cars were stranded on the roads. There were long queues at petrol pumps where some CNG was available. Most school going students could not reach their institutions because wagons and van pickups were inoperable due to non availability of CNG in the city.