The minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, has said that providing gas for domestic consumers will be the priority. Previous winters have seen angry protests from people coming out onto the streets to protest the lack of gas to heat homes or even cook food. Some have brought pots and pans out with them and the comical advertisements put out by the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Company, suggesting people wear heavy coats inside homes or dress children in garments resembling snowsuits to combat gas shortages, have brought little cheer.
It is, obviously, a repeat of such protests the government wishes to avoid. The situation, indeed, points to the extent of our energy crisis with the minister agreeing that the pipeline from Iran was needed quickly, but citing resource constraints as a possible hurdle. However, it is obviously also necessary to look at the plight of CNG users; this is all the more so since they were actively encouraged a decade ago to switch to this fuel and punishing them now seems an extremely unjust measure. A balance needs to be found, one way or the other.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 10th, 2013.
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CNG has virtually drawn level with petrol prices? When did that happen? Last I checked there is still a 40 percent differential in prices. Get your facts right especially in the editorial piece.
It will only hurt "poor" car drivers. Public transporters already charge fares according to diesel price. Therefore it will not affect them.
I like this decision I hope it is implemented at least people will be able to cook the food