ISLAMABAD: The CNG industry has asked the government to allow liquefied natural gas (LNG) import by the private sector as 100mmcfd LNG import will lead to reduction in annual oil import bill by Rs80 billion.

A delegation of the Pakistan CNG Association met federal Minister for Petroleum and Energy Hammad Azhar here on Thursday to brief him on the situation of CNG industry and LNG import. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on petroleum Tabish Gauhar and Petro­leum Secretary Arshad Mahmood were also present.

The association’s chairman Khalid Latif and leader Ghayas Paracha gave a briefing on the problems of CNG sector and LNG imports.

Mr Paracha told the minister that LNG was a cheaper fuel for the transport sector as compared to petrol and added that 100mmcfd LNG import would result in reducing oil import bill by Rs80bn.

The briefing highlighted that increased use of CNG in the transport sector, including long route vehicles and buses, would lead to reduction of fuel cost and subsequently transport fares could drop by about 33 per cent, benefiting the commuters.

“The import of LNG by private sector will eventually benefit the whole chain in the CNG sector from the sellers to vehicle owners,” Mr Paracha said.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2021