People protest in Peshawar against the lack of transport and price hike in CNG on Monday. – Photo by AP

ISLAMABAD: All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Monday decided to continue its strike till the fulfillment of demands.

Addressing a press conference, Chairman APCNGA Ghiyas Paracha said that the government should announce one day CNG loadshedding till February 15.

He added new taxes should be rolled back and there should be no ban on refuelling of public transport.

Earlier, Secretary Petroleum Natural Resources Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry held a meeting with Chairman and representatives of All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) here on Monday to address the concerns of the CNG sector.

The meeting was attended by Chief Commissioner Islamabad Capital Territory, Acting Chairman OGRA and senior officers of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources.

Secretary Petroleum clarified to the APCNGA that the news about indefinite closure of CNG Sector is incorrect, however, CNG Stations would remain closed as per the mutually agreed Gas Load Management Programme.

It was informed that there is no proposal for closure of CNG stations during the month of January.

Due to increasing cold, the demand of natural gas was increasing and therefore the government had to implement the Gas Load Management Programme.

Secretary Petroleum informed the participants that after the month of February, the situation of gas supply would stabilise and gas supply to CNG sector would improve.

During the meeting it was decided that a high powered committee comprising of senior representatives of Finance Division, Petroleum and Natural Resources Division and OGRA would look into the issue of gas pricing and submit its report within four days.

It was also decided that the decision of OGRA regarding ban on filling of CNG in public transport vehicles would be suspended for 15 days and the public safety measures would be jointly monitored and ensured by OGRA and the APCNGA.

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has already communicated to provincial governments, OGRA and the APCNGA to monitor public transport vehicles containing sub-standard CNG cylinders and kits.

Secretary Petroleum said that CNG sector was an important stakeholder and it was expected that they will act responsibly in this situation.

Cooperation of APCNGA was imperative so that sufficient supply of gas is available for domestic consumers. He emphasised upon the APCNGA to call off their strike.

Chairman APCNGA assured that CNG Association would cooperate in implementing the gas load management programme.