The government’s decision to raise CNG price to an all-time high of Rs74.30 per kg and the resulting indefinite strike announced by gas stations have put a spanner in people’s plans for New Year.
A schoolteacher, Shela Zaidi, said she was looking forward to the New Year but after hearing about the strike her excitement turned into worry. She said the taxicabs already demand high fares and with the increase in the price of CNG, travelling on taxicabs will become unaffordable. “I really don’t know how I will go to work.”
The strike is expected to result in increased transportation issues around the city, with many wagons and buses expected not to operate at all.
Mohammad Ali, a university student said he did not even think about forming New Year resolutions this year. “I guess we all are too occupied trying to adjust to a life with fewer and fewer necessities,” he said. Without public transport, he added, he will not able to go to college.
Naseem Akhtar, who works at a beauty parlour, said, “On TV I see people around the world happily celebrating New Year, and in Pakistan we are stuck with the memogate issue, skyrocketing inflation, gas and electricity load shedding. And now there won’t even be any public transport.”
The transporters say they stand to lose the most, as their livelihoods are at stake.
Taxi driver Ahmed Khan said, “With no CNG for months, all we are concerned about is how we will provide for our families.” All Pakistan CNG Association Chairperson Ghiyas Paracha said “the people and the CNG association rejected this New Year’s gift.”
He added the strike in CNG stations will continue till the government takes back its decision and reduces CNG prices.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2012.
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