Not enough gas

Same fuel that runs electricity generation plants is callously diverted to run 3.5 million cars on CNG.

KARACHI: This is with reference to the recent advertisements that have appeared in some newspapers on the subject of 500 MMCFD of natural gas being wasted on CNG. It actually comes as a surprise to ordinary Pakistanis that the same fuel that runs electricity generation plants serving the power needs of 100 per cent of the country’s 180 million population is callously diverted to run 3.5 million cars on CNG. This is definitely not the most productive or efficient use of a precious resource in a country torn by power riots that have led to civil unrest.

Wastage of such a huge quantity of natural gas, which could add 1600 MW of electricity to national power generation, is indicative of mismanagement and ill-thought policies. The idea of car owners saving a few rupees a day on fuel at the cost of masses struck by loadshedding is quite unfortunate. The government needs to rectify this situation because a far more urgent national priority is ensuring that there is enough gas for power generation.

Syed Ovais Akhtar

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2012.