Gas stations re-open across Sindh for 12 hours

CNG stations in Karachi opened on Friday night for eight hours but were later ordered to close down. Photo: File 

KARACHI: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations across Sindh re-opened for 12 hours on Sunday amid severe gas crisis in the province, Geo News reported, 

 On Saturday, gas supply to CNG stations across Sindh was suspended after a brief opening on Friday night for eight hours. Long queues had formed at CNG stations on Friday night after the news spread that stations have been allowed to supply gas to vehicle owners.

However, the stations were soon ordered to close down again in the early hours of Saturday due to low gas pressure.

Read also: Industries in Sindh to launch protest from Monday

The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) had said that the stations would be allowed to open again when gas pressures increase.

Industries in Sindh announced to protest from Monday against the prevalent gas crisis in the country.

Power minister blames Sindh govt for gas shortage

Power Minister Omar Ayub on Saturday alleged that the ongoing gas shortage in Sindh was occurring due to the provincial government’s failure to provide a route for new gas pipelines in the province.

He said that the provincial government "is oppressing the people of Sindh by not providing a right of way" to the federal government.

Ayub said the federal government will lay new pipelines if the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) is allowed to do so by local authorities.

The minister also said that the provincial government had declined federal government’s offer to provide LNG under Article 158 of the Constitution.

Responding to Ayub’s allegations, Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani rejected the allegation, saying that the gas pipelines mentioned by the power minister were not discussed.

Ghani said the federal government’s incompetency has ruined people’s lives.