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2012. Pakistan suffered a severe CNG crisis in 2012 where according to the
chairman of All Pakistan CNG Association 1,800 out of the country’s 3,395
gas filling stations were closed down more weeks on end and the government
closed another 800 stations because of non-payment of bills. Pakistan is fast
consuming its natural gas reserves, as the previous government of President
Musharraf had encouraged use of natural gas in vehicles in order to save
money that the country spent on importing oil. Now more than 80 percent of
the country’s vehicles use natural gas as fuel which is more than any other
country in the world. According to the prime minister’s advisor on petroleum
and natural resources, the country’s two largest gas fields were expected to
run dry by 2022.
Gas stations remained closed for at least three days a week as the
government struggled to meet gas demands of consumers severely restricting
freedom of movement of citizens. In a country where petrol prices were too
high and out of reach of the majority of the population, shortage of gas created
havoc with the budgets of average Pakistanis. Fares of public transport using
petrol are also too expensive for the majority. The efforts to find more reserves
clearly lacked the urgency that should have been warranted by the CNG crisis.
Importing gas from neighboring Iran appeared to be a viable solution in the
future.
In 2012 a large number of citizens wasted several hours daily to get their
vehicles refuelled affecting their efficiency and productivity.
Freedom of movement
Means of movement
Rise in fuel prices and inflation made travelling difficult for the average
Pakistani. The lack of an affordable quality transport system within and between
Protests by standed passengers had no effect on the PR administration.