Closed in protest: After successful talks, CNG stations reopen in Swat and Hazara
The stations had been closed for most part of the day over reduction in gas prices.
SWAT/ABBOTABAD:
For most part of Friday, CNG stations in Swat and much of the Hazara belt stayed shut in protest over the Oil and Gas Regulation Authority (Ogra) notification to cut gas prices by a staggering 33%.
In Swat, CNG stations were opened after government officials held negotiations with the Swat CNG Owners Association at the office of Swat District Revenue Officer Niaz Khan at around 4pm. The association even accepted to supply gas at the new rate of Rs61.64 per kg.
The Swat CNG Owners Association had rejected the new prices under the pretext they will lose loss up to Rs15 per kg if they sell gas at the new price. “It means if a CNG station sells 5,000 kg of gas, it will lose Rs75,000,” said Tahir Khan, president of the association.
Iftikhar, a public van driver in Swat said, “If the law was strong, the owners would not dare to close their CNG station and people would not be in trouble.”
Many people also asked why, when Ogra increases gas prices, the orders are implemented on short notice, but when it reduces prices, CNG stations go on strike.
In Abbottabad, to avoid arguments with transporters over prices, which had not been updated, some CNG stations opted to shut down, but a few had to reopen when Kamal Pasha, acting chairman of All Pakistan CNG Association Hazara region, asked them not to create problems for the public during Eid holidays. Even though, according to him, the sale of CNG at new prices would cause them financial losses.
Pasha said that all 133 CNG stations in the Hazara region reopened after his announcement. He said his association would move the SC on October 30 and approach OGRA to rethink the decision. If neither option yielded favourable results, they would go on strike.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2012.
For most part of Friday, CNG stations in Swat and much of the Hazara belt stayed shut in protest over the Oil and Gas Regulation Authority (Ogra) notification to cut gas prices by a staggering 33%.
In Swat, CNG stations were opened after government officials held negotiations with the Swat CNG Owners Association at the office of Swat District Revenue Officer Niaz Khan at around 4pm. The association even accepted to supply gas at the new rate of Rs61.64 per kg.
The Swat CNG Owners Association had rejected the new prices under the pretext they will lose loss up to Rs15 per kg if they sell gas at the new price. “It means if a CNG station sells 5,000 kg of gas, it will lose Rs75,000,” said Tahir Khan, president of the association.
Iftikhar, a public van driver in Swat said, “If the law was strong, the owners would not dare to close their CNG station and people would not be in trouble.”
Many people also asked why, when Ogra increases gas prices, the orders are implemented on short notice, but when it reduces prices, CNG stations go on strike.
In Abbottabad, to avoid arguments with transporters over prices, which had not been updated, some CNG stations opted to shut down, but a few had to reopen when Kamal Pasha, acting chairman of All Pakistan CNG Association Hazara region, asked them not to create problems for the public during Eid holidays. Even though, according to him, the sale of CNG at new prices would cause them financial losses.
Pasha said that all 133 CNG stations in the Hazara region reopened after his announcement. He said his association would move the SC on October 30 and approach OGRA to rethink the decision. If neither option yielded favourable results, they would go on strike.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 27th, 2012.