LAHORE: All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Thursday demanded seven-day gas supply to Compressed Natural Gas filling stations all over Punjab as weather has turned normal reducing demand for natural gas by domestic consumers.

Restoration of supply in Punjab would result in extra consumption of only 15mmcfd gas per day while seven-day supply would result in additional utilisation of around 60mmcfd only, said Chairman of APCNGA Supreme Council, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha.

In a statement, he said ending gas loadshedding for CNG sector in Punjab would consume mere one per cent of the total national gas output while it would benefit millions, guarantee thousands of jobs, contain inflation and reduce pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

The caretaker government should revisit loadshedding schedule to provide relief to masses who braved unprecedented gas loadshedding in Punjab for the last three years that took toll on daily life, economy and the foreign exchange reserves, he added.

Paracha said in the past policies were framed disregarding the interests of masses including 80 million commuters who used public transport. “The CNG sector is getting three-day gas supply in Punjab during which 16-hour loadshedding takes toll on the business and add to miseries of the masses. Officially, Punjab is getting gas for three days while it is equal to one-day supply due to the loadshedding.”

CNG and urea sectors having no alternative for gas were being strangled while some influentials were provided with extra gas despite ban and gas prices were frequently reduced for them, said Paracha.

The government must take steps to rescue the CNG sector and ensure smooth sailing, especially in Punjab otherwise this sector with Rs400 billion investment would crumble due to unfavourable environment, he said.

The leader of the CNG sector said Punjab remained exposed to unjust loadshedding as compared to any other province for political reasons. “Now we hope that the caretaker government will maintain equilibrium. Time has come for the authorities to choose between interests of elite and masses.”