ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: The petroleum ministry has ordered to reopen compressed natural gas (CNG) stations across Punjab immediately as the relentless petrol shortage across the province entered its fifth day on Saturday.
The media reports said that the decision to reopen CNG stations in Punjab and Potohar region was taken in response to Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s suggestion to open CNG pumps in view of the prevalent petrol crisis.
#Breaking: Petroleum Ministry orders to open CNG Stations across Punjab immediately pic.twitter.com/Gn92B1ObJt
— JAAG TV (@JaagAlerts) January 17, 2015
The reports said that the chief minister took notice of the petrol scarcity across the province and contacted the federal minister for petroleum and natural resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi. He suggested the minister to restore the CNG supply.
In response, the petroleum minister expressed willingness to restore supply for CNG stations in Punjab during the petrol shortage.
In an interview, the Chairman of CNG Association Ghayas Paracha said that they have received orders to reopen the CNG stations in Punjab. He said that the CNG stations in Potohar region are being reopened immediately.
Earlier talking to media representatives in Islamabad, the petroleum minister said that petrol shortage will end soon as the government is making all-out efforts to improve its supply.
The minister said that demand for petrol witnessed an increase of 25 percent this month following substantial decrease in its price.
The minister said that 52,000 metric tons of petrol will reach the country today while Shell will also import 20,000 ton petrol tomorrow.
Abbasi said that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has issued notices to oil companies in view of the shortage of petrol as they did not fulfill their obligations.
In addition, he said that there is no plan to re-open CNG stations in Punjab in the near future. He said that supply of gas to domestic consumers is the first priority of the government.
