LAHORE: Deadlock continues on the issue of gas demand of CNG stations in Punjab during the talks between the All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) and Sui Northern Gas Pipe Lines Limited (SNGPL) on the gas quota issue held here on Wednesday.

Central Chairman APCNGA, Ghyas Abdullah Paracha while talking to Business Recorder said that first round of talks between the Association and SNGPL was held in which Managing Director SNGPL, Arif Hameed briefed the Association about the gas quota. Paracha said that Association will take decision after taking into confidence the other members of their organization and stressed his hope that final decision will be taken in the second round of talks which will be held after three days.

He said that CNG sector is consuming seven to nine percent of the gas consumption and we are paying high taxes and we are facing discrimination.

MD Arif Hameed while talking to Business Recorder said that the proposal of gas quota is in the favour of the CNG sector. He said that sacrifices should be given by all sectors to overcome the energy crisis. He stressed his hope that energy crisis will be overcome very soon. He stressed his hope that next round of talks will be successful.

Arif said that our teams are working day and night to control the gas pilferage adding that Petroleum Ministry is fully supporting the SNGPL and has directed that action should be taken against those involved in gas pilferage without any discrimination.

Arif said that SNGPL has started leakage surveys using modern equipment to detect underground leakage and these efforts have reduced line losses to 11.07 percent in December 2011 as compared to 12.4 percent in June 2011 and the company plans to reduce it further by June 2012.