LAHORE:
An association that claims to represent half the CNG pumps in the Punjab has suggested that it will not join the strike called by the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) from Sunday.
The APCNGA has called an indefinite, nationwide strike in protest at the recent hike in CNG prices and infrastructure development surcharge notified by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). The association had already observed a successful strike in Sindh.
But a spokesman for the All Pakistan CNG Dealers Association (APCNGDA), which represents CNG stations installed alongside petrol pumps and is affiliated with the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association (PPDA), said that going on strike would only hurt its members.
“Everyone is frustrated by the energy crisis,” said Khawaja Atif, the association’s information secretary. “CNG stations are also losing money as there is no gas for three days and then low pressure for the rest of the week. The government is discouraging the CNG sector and if we go on strike indefinitely it will help them. Around 50 per cent of the pumps in the Punjab are our members and most of them are against the strike.”
A CNG station owner who is a member the APCNGA told The Tribune that he was not in favour of the closure. “The gas curtailment has already hurt our business a lot,” he said. “I have invested millions of rupees in this station and my family and my workers’ families depend on it.”
He said he would make a final decision depending on what other stations decide. “I will see. If some stations open then I will also open,” he said.
Ghayas Paracha, chairman of the APCNGA Supreme Council, said that the APCNGDA had cooperated in the Sindh strike and he would be surprised if they did not join the nationwide strike. “I don’t know what their agenda is,” he said. “But we will strike till the government withdraws its rate hike.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited said that the company was still awaiting orders from the ministry concerning a mooted closure of gas supply to CNG stations for one month. “It’s an option but a final decision has not been made,” he said. “
The CNG supply to different regions of Punjab will continue as per schedule until further orders.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 1st, 2012.
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