The CNG association on Thursday rejected ‘controversial’ approval of federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) to mix air in the Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and later pump it into the gas pipelines to reduce worsening gas shortages in the country.

Terming the federal cabinet’s Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) approval to LPG air mix project a conspiracy against national interests, the All Pakistan CNG Association has said that this approval would definitely benefit ‘influential mafia’ but at the end it would deprive masses of Rs 60 billion annually besides massive hike in the cost of gas by 10 per cent in the country. And, raising questions over the pace of implementation of the ECC’s decision, the APCNGA has also rejected the government’s claim that the decision will not burden domestic consumers.

“The move is against national interests and is a conspiracy to benefit few influential mafia which will deprive masses of Rs 60 billion annually,” said Chairman Supreme Council APCNGA Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha. While smelling a rat in ECC approval, he said that implementation of the controversial decision will hike cost of doing business and leave our products uncompetitive in the international markets which will put additional strain on forex reserves and amplify trade deficit. He further said the decision would result in closure of thousands of businesses, unemployment and law and order issues.

Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha also appealed the Supreme Court to play a role to safeguard the over burdened masses already bearing heavy brunt of sky rocketing prices of essential commodities in the country for a long time. He also said the decision was taken despite resistance of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), which in result would cause hike in the cost of gas by 10 per cent, and will jack up price of bread, besides increased cost of living that will drive millions more below the poverty line.

“A big scandal is in the making so the Supreme Court should take note of the development to safeguard the interests of masses before it is too late, “said Paracha.Lashing out over the role of Adviser to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussian regarding approval of LPG air mix project from the highest economic forum of the country,

he said it seems that adviser is interested in promoting mafias and pointing towards problems but has failed miserably to resolve anything owing to lack of interest and basic knowledge. Decision of the LPG-air mix is a result of lack of understanding by the decision makers, he said, adding, that they were simply interested in promoting the interests of few at the cost of entire nation, which demands a probe.

Leader of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) were of the view that direct use of LPG will be more economical while mixing it in the pipeline will increase its cost more that the furnace oil. He said no country in the world outside Argentina is using air-mix plants, as it is the costliest solution of gas shortages in presence of the cost-effective ways out.