ISLMABAD - All Pakistan CNG Association has demanded of the government and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to not to become party in propaganda against the CNG sector.
“CNG sector is neither involved in gas theft nor gas consumption in this sector is significantly higher than other sectors,” APCNGA said on Thursday. The central chairman of All Pakistan CNG Association, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha has presented some of CNG sector’s demands and the proposals.
He said that whereas a constitutional petition under Article 158 of the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is under consideration regarding natural gas distribution amongst the provinces, APCNGA demands to the government that the distribution of natural gas be ensured on fair, just and equitable basis.
“Industrial units and business enterprises having no options for alternate energy should be accorded priority for gas supply. Likewise, enterprises and business units contributing higher revenues to the government and providing direct benefits to the public be accorded priority too. The additional tax levied on CNG sector in the form of cess be withdrawn forthwith for which the parliament should pass a bill,” the Association’s head demanded.
In case of import of LNG, he said, it should be ensured that no category of consumers is subjected to price escalation.
“In case due to any reason, the government cannot install mega plants and terminals at Karachi, the Association can play a vital role in installation of mini plants and storages countrywide,” he said. The Association, Paracha said, is already chalking out comprehensive and workable plan in this regard.
“For the year ending 30th June 2011, the details of additional gas consumption as compared to the pervious year are as 61mmcfd in fertilizer, 46mmcfd in domestic and 41mmcfd in transport or CNG sector. These figures are reflective of the fact that consumption in some other sectors has exceeded as compared to CNG sector. As such, it would be unfair to assume that gas consumption has arisen in CNG sector alone. The efforts of the government to handle the gas shortfall problem in the country are praise worthy. Nevertheless, the APCNGA is evolving a workable and comprehensive plan in association with professionals in natural gas sector to reduce wastage of gas and bring out tangible saving in gas consumption through efficient usage,” he said.
With the participation and cooperation of the government and public, Paracha said, the savings would ensure continuous supply of gas to CNG sector, thus, eliminating loadshedding without creating any burden on the existing system or any segment of the consumers.
“This plan can be launched before the onset of next winter. The Association shall bring out the plan by early March 2012. The APCNGA being conscious of the safety issues has worked to establish testing workshops throughout the country and training of manpower has been completed,” he said.
All CNG vehicles, he said, will be obligated to go for such a checking through DME System and vehicles not complying with this program shall not avail CNG refuelling facility.
Further, he said, APCNGA demands that parliamentarians and public be not misguided by way of misinterpretation of facts. CNG tariff, he said, should not be enhanced in future, as this would be too harsh and discriminatory for the public.
“In case attempts are made to withdraw gas from public transport, the fares would arise almost two and half times of the present,” he said.
“OGRA and government should play unbiased role towards CNG sector. ORGA is mandated to act upon the policy guidelines of the government and not to give recommendations, which can be discriminatory towards any specific category of consumers,” Paracha said on behalf of the association.