ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) on Sunday rejected the decision of Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) to close CNG stations across Punjab under the pretext of excessive load on the system.

"The unilateral decision will hurt the interests of millions of people and thousands of CNG filling stations owners, therefore it cannot be accepted under any circumstances, said Pervaiz Khan Khattak, Central Chairman APCNGA.

In a statement he said that closure of CNG stations throughout Punjab on November 10 under the garb of a load on the system is unacceptable as there is no city in the province facing biting cold.

"The unilateral and flawed decision will add to the problems of CNG operators and miseries of the masses," said Khattak.

He said that some individuals from government and business circles cannot tolerate the CNG sector even if it is running for two days a week.

"The SNGPL has deprived masses of affordable fuel many times in recent days and now the department has repeated the decision without taking stakeholders on board which is unfortunate," he added.

Khattak said that closure of CNG stations will affect millions of jobs, thousands of CNG operators while drivers of taxis, rickshaws and wagons will increase fares.

"CNG is the only business in the world which is not allowed to operate for more than two days in a week and is being strangled which has left us with no option but to take a strict action," Khattak said.

He said that depriving Punjab’s CNG industry of gas is highly unfortunate therefore the CNG operators facing the wrath of SNGPL should be immediately compensated against the wastage of business days.