KARACHI: It is becoming increasingly difficult to travel in public transport, ever since the Supreme Court ordered the reduction in CNG price. As a student, I commute between my home and university in a rickshaw. Ever since the reduction in CNG price, it has become extremely expensive to do so due to the fares charged by taxi and rickshaw drivers. If one objects to the high fares and points out that CNG has become cheaper, the drivers will start their never-ending tales of the ‘low pressure’ of the CNG being provided at CNG stations and the fact that they have to wait in line for at least 40 minutes if not more, in order to get their vehicles filled.
Previously, I used to pay Rs90-100 for my commute. Now, I have to pay Rs150. CNG stations are still earning their profits by not providing adequate pressure despite the reduction in prices. Before the Supreme Court order, when CNG was being sold for about Rs90 a kg, there was no gas pressure issue but now, suddenly, there is. Added to this is the way public transporters have started charging high fares. In the end, it is students and others like me who are being victimised. What shall we do? Start using bicycles? Why are we being punished?
Though show-cause notices have been issued to CNG stations that have been involved in illegal and unethical practices, I am sure that after November 17, they will start selling CNG at their desired rate. If the Supreme Court wants supremacy of law, then it should ensure that its orders are implemented in the right spirit. Rather than providing relief, the Supreme Court’s order has become a headache for us.
Bismah Mirza
Published in The Express Tribune, November 8th, 2012.
