APCNGA warns: ‘Countrywide protest if demands not met’

Wants govt to supply gas to sector, terms it conspiracy that favours power plants.

ISLAMABAD:

All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) while rejecting the new load management plan for the industry, warned of a countrywide protest in case the government does not reverse its decision.

APCNGA Central Chairman Pervaiz Khan Khattak criticised the new schedule that allots gas for 72 hours a month to CNG outlets across Punjab, terming it “a conspiracy” hatched to destroy the sector. “It’s a plan devised to increase the profits of private power plants by providing them gas allocated to the CNG sector and eventually eliminate the Rs450-billion industry. If the decision is not taken back and our demands not met until July 10, we will have no option but to protest,” he told a press conference.

Khattak said that they would never allow this decision that affects millions of people for the benefit of 80 influential families of Punjab as business for 72 hours a month, out of which half the hours are wasted in load shedding, is nothing short of a cruel joke. If CNG stations are allowed to work 4 am to 2 pm, it will resolve the main issue and the masses would not face any problems, he said.

Different departments have opposed patronage of private power plants and provision of gas to them on subsidised rates while Supreme Court has issued judgement against these plants but to no avail, he pointed out.

Former chief justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, in his verdict clearly stated, “As far as captive power plants are concerned, the policy must be revised. They cannot be allowed to supply gas at much higher rates than National Electric Power Regulatory Authority without any justification. Therefore, the supply of gas to captive power plants should be revised to a lower priority and not at a subsidised rate.”

Hundreds of CNG filling stations had been closed across Punjab but it had no effect on the policymakers. Khattak said plotting against the CNG sector is enmity with the masses as the sector provides jobs to millions. Eighty million people use CNG-converted vehicles for transportation while government earns billions in taxes from the sector. He demanded the incumbent ministers to fulfil their promises.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2014.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.