Karachi CNG crisis enters seventh day, public transport in disarray
December 15, 2018
KARACHI: Residents of Karachi continued to suffer as the CNG crisis in the metropolis entered its seventh day, disrupting public transport and daily routine.
Even after a week, the supply of gas to CNG stations has remained suspended, posing difficulties for commuters. Only a scattered number of buses minibusses and rickshaws were seen running on the roads.
On Tuesday night, SSGC the supplier of gas in Sindh and Balochistan, announced to halt gas supply to CNG stations and captive power plants of all general industries.
SSGC said that it was facing acute shortage of gas and low pressure in the system, which was affecting adequate supply to domestic and commercial sectors.
Spokesperson of SSGC has assured that reopening of CNG stations as soon as gas supply improves.
Further, chairman of All Pakistan CNG Association Ghayas Paracha said that he is hoping that the situation improves today. "We are hoping that the situation improves today and that CNG stations re-open by tonight,” he said.
Moreover, Sindh Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh said that the Petroleum Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan has assured him that the supply of gas will improve by tomorrow.
“We are not in a war with the federal government. We want dialogue according to the law,” he said.
SNGPL, SSGCL board of directors dissolved on PM's orders
On Thursday, Prime Minister Imran Khan ordered that boards of directors of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and SSGCL be dissolved owing to the prevailing gas shortfall in the country.
The premier gave directions for stricter action against the gas suppliers, as the CNG crisis continued to disrupt public transport.
A day after ordering a fact-finding committee to launch an inquiry against the managing directors of both SNGPL and SSGCL, the federal government decided to reshuffle the companies’ boards of directors over purported poor performance. On the prime minister's instructions, the boards of directors of both the companies were dissolved.
