The compressed natural gas dealers and transporters in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad went on an indefinite strike at the end of the three-day weekly closure of sale on Sunday against the latest increase in prices and ban on provision of CNG to public transport vehicles with kits installed on the rooftops or beneath the seats.

The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Sunday demanded of the government to withdraw the decision of imposing ban on use of CNG in commercial vehicles, terming the move as a 'conspiracy' to sabotage the sector.

Addressing a joint news conference with Transporters Welfare Association of the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad, APCNGA Chairman Ghayas Paracha also criticised Petroleum Minister Asim Hussain for creating artificial gas shortage to favour two business tycoons-Mian Mansha, a major shareholder in SNGPL, and AK Dadi, involved in LPG trade.

The transporters of the twin cities also announced to go on indefinite strike till the government withdraws the decision.

Paracha shared documents with media which indicated that SNGPL system had packed over 300 million cubic feet gas per day (mmcfd) in the pipeline system which otherwise could be provided to the eight regions to overcome shortage of gas.

He said that SNGPL was not increasing flow of gas, to create level playing field for costlier LNG and LPG imports.

He further said that SNGPL requires 2500 mmcfd gas packed in pipelines to avoid collapse of system but, according to documents, it had packed 2830 mmcfd gas on December 30, 2011 against 2639 mmcfd gas in the pipeline system on November 30, 2011.

He argued that SNGPL system was deliberately blocking 330 mmcfd gas in the system to create artificial gas shortage.

He further said that that all this was being done to hold CNG sector responsible for the crisis which only uses only 7.8 percent out of total gas available in the country.

Paracha said that around 2250 CNG stations in Punjab and 7 out of 8 total CNG stations in Balochistan remained closed due to the strike, which he said would continue across the country, unless the government stopped its anti-CNG policy, and withdrew decision of gas price hike.

He referred to a report according to which no cylinder had exploded out of 8 incidents occurred in a week, adding that it was a conspiracy to impose ban of CNG use in commercial vehicles.

He further said that a conspiracy had also been hatched to create rift between domestic consumers and CNG sector.

He was of the view that LNG and LPG imports in the country would put more burden on the consumers.

He argued that LNG would cost Rs 1600 per mmbtu and petrol will be still cheaper if its cost went up to Rs 500 per litre.

He said that after transporting LNG into the system of SSGC and SNGPL, the price of local gas would go up to $15 per mmbtu.

He also alleged that the government was interested to bring costlier gas but was not willing to give some cents additional price to OMV and Dewan Petroleum.

Paracha said that CNG industry has offered to invest for making 38 mmcfd gas usable for the last two years but the Petroleum Ministry did not give any positive response so far.

President of Transporters Association Changez Khan said that they would observe complete strike in twin cities to register protest against gas price hike and ban of CNG use in commercial vehicles.

He said that the strike would continue till the government would withdraw its decision.

He, however, added that the transporters were ready to reduce fares if the government invited them for talks.