CNG shutdown
Public transport running on CNG is likely to be affected as well.
Public transport running on CNG is likely to be affected as well. PHOTO: PPI/FILE
The decision, announced by the federal minister for petroleum, to close all CNG stations in Punjab from November to January will undoubtedly send a pall of gloom running through tens of thousands of people in the province who use the fuel. The vision that rises up before us is one of vehicles everywhere standing still, and unable to move for much of those three months. It should also be noted that the conversion to CNG was actively encouraged, notably during the mid-2000s when many installed the required kits in their vehicles, on the basis that it was a cheaper and cleaner fuel. Today, they find themselves suffering; CNG has virtually drawn level with petrol in terms of prices, while fuel shortages have become a nightmare as queues snake around gas stations. The shutdown we are to see this winter promises to be the worst nightmare yet. Public transport running on CNG is likely to be affected as well.
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.
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.