CNG stations to reopen today after 48 hours

PUNJAB, SINDH: The Central Chairman of All Pakistan Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Association, Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha confirmed that the stations in the Sindh and Punjab will reopen from Sunday (today) at 12:00 PM.

Earlier, the government had announced to shut down all CNG stations in Sindh and Punjab for an indefinite period.

Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said the decision to reopen the station was made after the government prepared alternative arrangements to provide furnace oil to feed the power sector.

He said the Association raised the issue across the power corridor and by Saturday evening, the secretary petroleum, as well as Special Assistant to Prime Minister Nadeem Babar, confirmed the government’s decision to open fueling stations from Sunday, adding that officials have arranged furnace oil to feed the power generators.

Paracha said the sector was already closed in Sindh for the last two days as gas was being diverted to K-Electric.

In a letter addressing petroleum pump owners, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) earlier said CNG stations would be closed from Friday to Sunday (closure of 48 hours) to divert gas to K-Electric.

K-Electric is unable to meet the city’s demand due to the unavailability of a sufficient amount of furnace oil for its power plants. Last month, SSGC directed an additional 50 million metric cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas to K-Electric.

Moreover, gas supply to captive power plants was also announced to remain close for three days, from Friday to Sunday.

An SSGC official said the system was facing a shortfall of 300 mmcfd. Paracha said the officials ignored reforms in the inefficient power sector and resultantly, the circular debt increased to unmanageable levels.

He added the association’s members completed all legal formalities, but still they were unable to import gas for their own use.