CNG Association Announces Protest Outside SSGC Office Over Gas Supply Suspension in Sindh
Karachi: The All Pakistan CNG Association has announced a sit-in and protest outside the office of Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) over the continued suspension of gas supplies to CNG stations across Sindh.
The announcement was made by the association’s coordinator, Sameer Najam-ul-Hasan, during a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, accompanied by association leaders Rana Raees, Sameer Gulzar, and other office-bearers.
The association alleged that while three major shopping centers in Karachi are receiving up to 5 MMCFD (Million Cubic Feet per Day) of gas, nearly 70 CNG stations are being denied even 1.5 MMCFD of supply.
According to the association, the supply of Regasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) to CNG stations in Sindh has remained suspended since February, forcing stations to remain closed for the past four months.
Association representatives said the number of CNG stations operating in Sindh has declined dramatically from 660 to just 70, while station owners continue to bear the burden of paying employees’ salaries, utility bills, and taxes despite having no gas supply.
They also stated that the CNG sector had previously been shifted from natural gas to RLNG under government policy, but RLNG is now also unavailable.
Speaking at the press conference, Rana Raees criticized government policies, saying they had pushed the CNG industry into crisis. He added that station owners have approached the courts for relief, but their case has yet to be heard.
He further claimed that only about 40 CNG stations are currently operational in Karachi and said discussions with the Managing Director of SSGC had failed to resolve the issue.
According to the association, nearly US$3 billion has been invested in establishing around 3,200 CNG stations across Pakistan, and the prolonged closure is threatening the livelihoods of thousands of workers.
The association appealed to the Sindh government to intervene, urging the provincial administration to take steps similar to those adopted by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government to restore gas supplies to CNG stations and help revive the sector.
