The All Pakistan CNG Association (APCNGA) said on Monday that the government is promoting the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) to reduce urban pollution, cut oil import bill and increase employment opportunities.
In a statement, APCNGA Central Chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha said that the government has taken a number of commendable steps to facilitate CNG pump owners, including removal of ban on setting up new CNG stations.
“Now Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has started issuing licences for new CNG outlets to those who fulfil all formalities, while ban on import of CNG kits has been lifted and import duty as well as sales tax has been slashed to promote its imports,” the statement read.
Paracha said that latest CNG kits would now be available in the country that would result in 15pc extra mileage. He said that availability of private imported LNG and other steps would trigger its usage and conversion of vehicles to environment-friendly economical fuel.
The business leader further noted that the government’s decisions would result in new investments, besides creating almost 3000,00 jobs.
“Promotion of this fuel will reduce urban pollution by 25pc within two years,” he said, adding that CNG emits significantly less pollution than other fuels, therefore, it is being encouraged by dozens of countries.
He requested the government to ensure compliance by different subordinate departments for the success of the initiative.