Unannounced strike by CNG stations continues

LAHORE: The unannounced strike by owners of CNG stations entered second day Friday after end of three-day weekly closure of pumps, causing serious problems to the masses.

People failed to get their vehicles filled with cheap CNG as owners of most stations opted to close sales in protest against what they called unjustified price announced by the government. Long queues of vehicles were witnessed at a few stations that were open while low pressure of gas compounded the problem further. In the absence of CNG availability, rush was witnessed at petrol pumps.

Meanwhile, the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) said owners of the CNG stations have closed their outlets as last resort, as they were unable to pocket more losses. Ghias Paracha, chairman of the supreme council of CNG Association, said CNG business is no more viable as recent developments have leftowners of filling stations with no option but to take loans to pay the utility bills and salaries.

He demanded of the government to introduce uniform rates of gas and uniform taxation to provide relief to the masses. CNG consumers should not be made to share burden of other influential sectors, he stressed.

He was of the view that government has shifted the entire burden on CNG stations without reducing taxes. He said APCNGA has not asked anyone to close their businesses but it is the huge losses that compelled them to stop sale of gas.

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