Protests in Rawalpindi, Islamabad as CNG strike continues

TrendPK.com

Rawalpindi: The CNG dealers continued their strike in Punjab, including Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Monday, triggering protests in various cities, TrendPK reports.

Chairman CNG Owners Association accused government of unfair distribution of the fuel while Secretary Petroleum Ministry claims petroleum prices were raised after consultation with CNG dealers.

The dealers rejected raise in gas prices, saying it would put an extra burden on the masses who were already groaning under inflation.

CNG dealers in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad went on an indefinite strike on Sunday at the end of the three-day weekly closure, shutting down filling stations in Punjab and Potohar region.

The strike was observed against latest increase in prices and ban on provision of CNG to public transport vehicles with kits installed on the rooftops or beneath the seats.

The closure multiplied miseries of commuters as they were faced the worst situation, prompting protest demonstrations in Lahore, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi and other cities.

Hundreds of protestors, including transporters and traders, gathered at Adiyala road of Rawalpindi and staged protest demonstration, shutting down markets and business activities.

In Islamabad, the trader community suspended business activities in the federal capital where hundreds of people took to roads in protest against the CNG closure. They urged the government to withdraw the recent increase in prices for both CNG and domestic consumers.

Long queues of vehicles were seen outside filling stations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with local residents criticizing both the government and filling station owners for closing supply for five days running.

The government has directed CNG station owners in Punjab to shut down filling stations for six hours a day.

Sources said the decision was taken by Sui Northern Gas Company. In the first phase, they said, it would be implemented in Lahore and Sheikhupura where the fuel supply to gas stations would be suspended for three hours in morning and evening, 6 pm to 9 pm. — TrendPK

Over 600 CNG stations closed in KP

TrendPK.com

PESHAWAR: In protest against current hike in fuel prices and other government steps, the CNG Owners Association on Monday shut down more than 600 filling stations of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, TrendPK reports.

They said the stations were closed in connection with the indefinite strike against raise in petroleum prices, low gas pressure at filling stations, import of CNG cylinders and ban on fixing CNG kits in commercial vehicles.

The strike came after a three-day closure of CNG stations in Punjab and Balochistan provinces where filling station owners observed shut down on Sunday, creating innumerable problems for commuters and ruining the business of transporters. TrendPK

Govt. plans petroleum levy on CNG

ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Petroleum has decided to impose a petroleum levy on compressed natural gas (CNG) of Rs. 5 per kilogram, TrendPK reported on Tuesday.

This latest decision comes a week after the government increased the price of CNG by Rs. 6 per kilogram.

The ministry says that the government will earn additional revenue of Rs. 12 billion through this levy.

Officials say the decision has been made to reduce the profit of CNG owners. They say that the CNG sector could not be promoted any further due to the country’s depleting gas reservoirs.

On the other hand, the CNG Association has rejected the proposed petroleum levy on CNG and called a meeting on August 11 to chalk out its next strategy. TrendPK

CNG prices likely to up

According to sources, the surge in Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) price was due to hike in the power and the POL prices. After the hike, CNG price in Punjab will Rs 55.80 per kg and in Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa will Rs 58.80 per kg.

Lahore CNG stations to remain closed for 12 hours a day

Lahore CNG stations would remain closed from 8am to 8pm from December 21 as per new schedule. And on Tuesday, CNG stations would remain totally shut.

According to notices issued to CNG stations by Sui Northern, orders have been issued to close CNG stations for 12 hours daily from 8am-8pm. While CNG stations will be closed for 24 hours on Tuesday. CNG Association has rejected the schedule and has decided to call emergency meeting within next two days in which future strategy would be chalked out.

CNG stations’ closure – Trend Pk VIDEO

Fahad Chaudhry from Islamabad reports on the weekly closure of CNG stations in Rawalpini and Islamabad. (November 27, 2010)

CNG stations’ closure – Trend Pk VIDEO

Fahad Chaudhry from Islamabad reports on the weekly closure of CNG stations in Rawalpini and Islamabad. (November 27, 2010)

CNG stations’ closure – Trend Pk VIDEO

Fahad Chaudhry from Islamabad reports on the weekly closure of CNG stations in Rawalpini and Islamabad. (November 27, 2010)

CNG stations’ closure – Trend Pk VIDEO

Fahad Chaudhry from Islamabad reports on the weekly closure of CNG stations in Rawalpini and Islamabad. (November 27, 2010)

CNG stations to remain closed in Punjab today

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Chairman CNG Association Supreme Council Ghayyasuddin Paracha said that CNG stations will remain closed in Punjab on Tuesday, Trend Pk learnt.

According to Paracha, CNG stations remained opened in Bahawalpur and Islamabad on Saturday due to which all CNG stations will now remain closed today, all over Punjab.

Announcements to close CNG stations have caused hardships to the owners of CNG-propelled vehicles. To save themselves the anguish, people were refilling CNG till late last night. Trend Pk

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