Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Karachi: The caretaker government has issued an order whereby the supply of compressed natural gas (CNG) to vehicles having more than 1,000cc engines will be stopped after May 25 in a bid to preserve the resource in the country.
Caretaker prime minister, Mir Hazr Khan Khoso, issued the orders to ensure smooth and steady gas supply to domestic and industrial consumers instead.
A Rs50,000 (Dh3,327) fine could be imposed on the compressed natural gas operator if found guilty of supplying the fuel to buyers with a 1,000cc engine for their vehicles.
For a second breach the fine would be doubled and in the case of subsequent violations, the station would be closed for six months and even for a year.
The ban has provoked resentment by CNG suppliers who would lose a large number of clients who own cars and public transport with heavier engines.
Transporters on the other side were also afraid of their high fuel costs and low profit margins if they switched to diesel or any other fuel.
Meanwhile, the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) rejected the ministry of petroleum and natural resources’ plan to suspend gas supply to CNG outlets for six days under the garb of maintenance of plants at Qadirpur gas field.
The decision to bar CNG outlets from business from May 21 to May 27 will take its toll on people and businesses, therefore this decision cannot be accepted, said APCNGA Supreme Council chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha.
By Mohammad Ashraf Correspondent
Gulf News 2013. All rights reserved.
