Two-day CNG weekend meets stark opposition

Residents say decision was taken on too short a notice and termed it ‘unfair’.

ISLAMABAD: Problems faced by people of the twin cities due to the closure of CNG stations will now be increased to two days a week as Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGL) have announced the winter gas holiday plan.

All CNG Stations of Rawalpindi-Islamabad were closed on Saturday with long queues witnessed at petrol pumps. Many people, on the other hand, decided not to use their vehicles due to unavailability of CNG.

Residents said that the decision was taken on too short a notice and termed it ‘unfair’.

Muhammad Imran who was standing at an F-8 petrol pump said, “I don’t understand what the government wants from the public. Inflation is already high and it is not possible for us to afford petrol for two days a week.”

He said that one day without CNG made sense, but two days, especially adjacent, was not workable.

Yasir Rehman, a resident of Satellite Town, said that the decision directly altered and affected his routine life. He suggested that this decision be withdrawn for the interest of the people.

He also suggested that if there is serious crisis of Sui Gas in the winter season, the government should start load-shedding in residential areas to conserve the gas.

President of All Pakistan Compressed Natural Gas Station Owners Association Ghayas Abdullah Paracha rejected the government decision saying that there was no need to increase the gas weekend by a day. He said gas station owners had already lost their business and it was not possible for them to close the CNG stations on Friday as well.

Paracha further said that this decision affected the lives of people and warned that after 10 Muharram, his association would launch a protest against the decision.

Related photo on Page 15

Published in The Express Tribune December 12^th, 2010.