Gas crisis: CNG association blames private companies
Requests premier to take strict action against ‘corrupt’ elements.
The association has asked the country’s premier to take notice of the situation, take corrective measures so that the CNG sector, along with domestic and industrial users, could breathe a sigh of relief. PHOTO: PPI/FILE
KARACHI:
The All Pakistan CNG Association has placed the blame for the unending gas crisis on local and foreign gas companies, incompetent bureaucracy and illegal supply on a massive scale to the influential class.
The association has asked the country’s premier to take notice of the situation, take corrective measures so that the CNG sector, along with domestic and industrial users, could breathe a sigh of relief.
In a statement, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, the APCNGA Supreme Council chairman, said that private companies had been involved in “power politics and manipulation that took the masses and the economy hostage”.
He claimed that if a gas company was awarded a contract, others would stop the execution through “bureaucratic intrigues, collusion with certain NGOs or invoke the courts”.
On the other hand, he said, some bureaucrats find it a lucrative opportunity and take advantage.
Paracha added that the crisis would deepen if authorities continued to serve the illegitimate interests of gas firms, exploration activities were kept intentionally sluggish and a decision to import gas was calculatingly delayed.
He said that the incumbent government is yet to take any strict action to streamline matters.
“The APCNGA is ready to meet the prime minister or the petroleum minister to apprise them of the situation and recommend solutions.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2014.
The All Pakistan CNG Association has placed the blame for the unending gas crisis on local and foreign gas companies, incompetent bureaucracy and illegal supply on a massive scale to the influential class.
The association has asked the country’s premier to take notice of the situation, take corrective measures so that the CNG sector, along with domestic and industrial users, could breathe a sigh of relief.
In a statement, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha, the APCNGA Supreme Council chairman, said that private companies had been involved in “power politics and manipulation that took the masses and the economy hostage”.
He claimed that if a gas company was awarded a contract, others would stop the execution through “bureaucratic intrigues, collusion with certain NGOs or invoke the courts”.
On the other hand, he said, some bureaucrats find it a lucrative opportunity and take advantage.
Paracha added that the crisis would deepen if authorities continued to serve the illegitimate interests of gas firms, exploration activities were kept intentionally sluggish and a decision to import gas was calculatingly delayed.
He said that the incumbent government is yet to take any strict action to streamline matters.
“The APCNGA is ready to meet the prime minister or the petroleum minister to apprise them of the situation and recommend solutions.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 22nd, 2014.