KARACHI: The Karachi Transport Ittehad (KTI) has assured to support CNG strike call by the All Pakistan CNG Association throughout the country from Wednesday for indefinite period. They also condemned the decision of the petroleum ministry for imposing of new levy on CNG.
Chairman KTI Irshad Bukhari said that they were supporting the strike call in the interest of common citizens.
Chairman All Pakistan CNG Stations Owners Association Malik Khuda Bakhsh said the delegation of CNG association called on Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad Khan at the Governor House on Monday, where the governor assured them of arranging their meeting with the federal petroleum minister in order to resolve the issues.
Bakhsh further said that after imposition of Cess tax, CNG prices would rise in Region I to Rs 98 per kg and in Region II Rs 90, which is not affordable for people and would create problems for common people related to this business.
CNG Stations Owners Association Sindh chapter President Abdul Sami Khan said a conspiracy was being hatched against the CNG sector that powers some 3.5 million vehicles and provides a livelihood to 50 million people directly or indirectly. He said that association several times met the officials of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, and presented their demands of not to impose further Cess on CNG sector and to reduce the load shedding of CNG, however, their demands were not met.
He said, “We all are demanding withdrawal of Cess increase and rate increase from Finance Bill of budget. Ghiyas Paracha also requested the political parties to oppose imposition of Cess over CNG and vote against it. He said that it was responsibility of political leaders to oppose any decision that would create problems for masses.
Various office-bearers of CNG association have asked the people of the country to support their strike against price hike in CNG.