CNG crisis gets worse throughout country

LAHORE: As the CNG crisis has gotten worse throughout the country following the Ogra’s move to slash the prices of the compressed natural gas, the natural gas supply to industry has been disconnected for an indefinite period following, what the gas utility says, enhanced consumption by the domestic sector.

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd (SNGPL) quietly cut off the gas supply to industry in the Punjab. Gas availability for industry was earlier reduced to two days a week only by the SNGPL.

Under the directions of the federal government, the SNGPL gives priority to domestic consumers in supply of gas and all other sectors, including industry, have been deprived of this important input. The textile sector will be hit hard by the decision of the government.

The All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) expressed dismay over it. Reduction in gas supply from five days to two days a week has already played havoc with the industry, said an office-bearer of the APTMA.

The textile industry is the mainstay of the Pakistan economy and 75 percent of the production units are Punjab-based, he added. But severe energy shortage in the Punjab is hitting the textile industry badly. However, the SNGL has no remedy for the energy-deficient industry.

According to an SNGPL official, with the advent of winter, loads on the SNGPL networks are steeply increasing due to enhanced consumption by the domestic sector. It has therefore been decided to cut off the gas supply to industry.

The CNG filling stations are already subject to three-day a week mandatory closure.People are on the receiving end due to ongoing unannounced strike of the owners of CNG stations.Domestic consumers still face the issue of low gas pressure. In the entire provincial metropolis, there is no area where gas supply is being ensured at normal pressure.

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