The federal government has declined to restore gas supply to CNG stations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, leaving the stations without any immediate prospect of reopening.
KP Finance Adviser Muzammil Aslam contacted Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik directly by phone to raise the issue on behalf of the province.
Muzammil Aslam subsequently briefed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister on the response he received from the federal government during that telephone conversation.
During the call, Muzammil Aslam told the federal minister that CNG station closures were causing serious difficulties for the general public across the province.
He urged the federal government to consider restoring gas supply to ease the burden on commuters and transport operators throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Federal Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik told Muzammil Aslam that Pakistan is currently facing a significant gas shortage at the national level.
The minister said the question of providing additional gas to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could only be considered following the completion of new LNG imports.
No timeline was given for when LNG imports would be completed or when CNG stations in the province might receive a restored supply.
Earlier today, the Ministry of Petroleum banned all new LNG-based gas connections across the country, citing a deepening supply crisis caused by ongoing regional conflict.
The ban covers both domestic and commercial consumers, halting fresh applications as authorities assess the availability of liquefied natural gas supplies.
Officials said the ban may be reviewed and applications could reopen within two weeks, depending entirely on whether the supply situation shows clear improvement.
