CNG stations observe strike

APA observed a strike against the government against its "one sided announcement".

RAWALPINDI: CNG stations of Potohar region remained closed on Thursday following the call of All Pakistan CNG Association (APA).

APA decided to observe this strike against the government for announcing that CNG pumps should remain closed two days – Friday and Saturday – of the week.

Addressing a press conference, APA Supreme Council Chairman Ghayyas Abdullah Paracha said that ignoring their concerns, Sui Southern unanimously announced the loadshedding schedule for Pothohar region CNG stations.

“Today we observe this token strike against the one sided announcement,” he said.

The sudden decision of the APA put public and private transporters in a difficult position. Imran Abbasi, a transporter, said that the controversy between APA and the government badly affected low-income transporters and commuters. He said that two further days without CNG would make things worse.

Muhammad Yousaf, a cab driver, said that he did not follow these political dynamics and often found himself in such ‘odd’ situations. He said that it was difficult to operate between the fluctuating prices and inconsistent fuel supply.

“If the government does not consider our demand, we will announce a long strike schedule,” said the APA chairman.

“We understand that transporters depend on CNG and will suffer from our strike but we want to tell the government that their decision is unwise and unacceptable,” he added.

He said that if government refuses to take back its decision, then a 3-day CNG closure would lead to a complete halt of public and private transport. He demanded of the Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to ensure equal distribution of gas, adding that the government was supplying gas to industries throughout the year without any hindrance while ignoring CNG stations.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 29^th, 2010.