LNG imports: CNG body wants to be taken onboard

Seeks a share in benefits accruing from import and distribution of fuel.

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) has urged the government to include the CNG industry in the committee that will finalise modalities of LNG import and its distribution in the country, on grounds that it is a major stakeholder in the natural gas sector.

“It is to be submitted that you have formed a committee on LNG to finalise its matters, import and distribution and it was announced that all stakeholders will be the member of this committee [sic],” APCNGA Central Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said in a letter written to Adviser to Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain.

“Therefore, you are requested to kindly give us membership of LNG committee which will lead CNG sector to get share in the
future advancements [sic],” it added.

Paracha connected the CNG sector’s importance to the assertion that the sector pays the highest tariffs. He said this makes it a major stakeholder in the natural gas sector.

“We are consuming only 6.9% gas, while paying the highest tariff including a cess which is almost 22.42% of total revenue. We must be given the benefits from imports of LNG [given our contributions],” Paracha said; adding that as the LNG committee was consulting all stakeholders, they should therefore be made a part of this process too.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2012.