Govt withdraws CNG stations' closure notification

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) government has withdrawn the notification on closure of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations just 24 hours after its issuance.

The Home Department has now issued orders to reopen CNG stations across the province.

The provincial government had earlier ordered the closure of CNG stations until January 31 to ensure the smooth supply of natural gas to domestic consumers during the cold winter season. The notification had been issued under Section 144.

CNG station owners, however, had expressed their reservations over the government's decision and contacted officials to demand its withdrawal. The success of subsequent negotiations between the administration and CNG station owners has now led to the notification's withdrawal.

On Sunday, authorities had decided to keep stations in Peshawar closed until January 31 due to low gas pressure. The Peshawar Deputy Commissioner had issued the notification to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to domestic consumers amid the cold weather.