Secretary Petroleum Natural Resources Muhammad Ejaz Chaudhry held a meeting with Chairman, All Pakistan CNG Association Ghiyas Paracha (APCNGA) and here on Tuesday to address the concerns of the CNG sector.

The meeting was attended by Acting Chairman OGRA and Senior officers of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources and representatives of CNG sector.

Later, talking to journalists, Secretary Petroleum said that the government has no intention to roll back CNG sector, however, CNG stations would remain closed as per the mutually agreed Gas Load Management Programme.

He said that there is no proposal for closure of CNG stations during the month of January, he added.

Due to intense cold winter, the demand for natural gas has increased from 650 mmcfd to 810 mmcfd and therefore the government has to implement the Gas Load Management Programme.

Secretary Petroleum said whenever the gas situation is improved, the CNG sector would be given relief in gas load management programme.

He said that a high powered committee comprising senior representatives of Finance Division, Petroleum and Natural Resources Division and OGRA would look into the issue of gas pricing and submit its report to ECC in the next meeting.

He said it was decided that the decision of OGRA regarding ban on filling of CNG in Public Transport vehicles has been suspended for 30 days and the public safety measures would be jointly monitored and ensured by OGRA and the APCNGA.

Secretary Petroleum said that there is gas shortage and each sector including CNG would have to show responsibility to tackle this issue efficiently.

He said that the cess has been imposed on CNG after consultation and negotiation with the APCNGA and now it is an act of parliament and it cannot be abolished by the secretary or Ministry of Finance.

He said if APCNGA had some reservations over the cess, it should give their proposals to be sent to the government.