PESHAWAR: CNG filling stations will stay closed in Peshawar as supplies have been suspended till January 31.

The Home Department said that this was being done so that domestic consumers, or households, received a smooth supply.

“It is imperative to impose a complete ban on the operation of CNG pumps in the interest of the general public and to ensure sufficient supply of gas to minimize the suffering of domestic consumers of the entire district in winter,” said a notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar.

As a result, transport fares have gone up with public transport owners saying they have to double prices because they have switched to petrol. A majority of public transport uses CNG.

This has put rickshaws and taxis out of business as people struggle to pay higher rates.

Qasim Khan, a rickshaw owner who has supported his family, is fearful to that the price hike will reduce his daily take-home earnings. “Since the CNG pumps have closed, our earnings have reduced by more than 50%,” he said. “I don’t earn, my family will starve.” He used to take home a minimum of Rs1,600 a day before the CNG fillings stations were closed. Now he barely makes Rs500.

“The commuters fight with us when we talk about the fares being increased,” he said. “We increased the fare Rs50 per stop which is a normal rise when we run our rickshaws on petrol.”

But people like Abrar Ahmad, who traveled to Peshawar from Lower Dir for work, are struggling. “First, the rickshaw would take Rs250 from Saddar Bazar to Haji Camp, but I gave Rs 400 for the same ride today.”

The CNG Association has threatened protests. “If the CNG filling stations are not opened within two days, we will not only protest on the roads but will also knock on the doors of justice,” said Faza Muaqeem, the president. Thousands of workers have been rendered jobless by this decision.