By Aamir Lashari
ISLAMABAD: The illegal sale of flare gas at CNG stations in Islamabad continues unchecked, raising serious concerns about public safety and large-scale tax evasion. This black-market trade not only violates licensing regulations but also poses a direct threat to human lives. Despite the severity of the issue, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has failed to implement strict oversight, neither monitoring gas fields nor ensuring compliance at CNG stations.
The vehicles used to transport this illegal gas are locally manufactured and operate without valid fitness certificates or licenses from the Explosives Department. These containers, disguised as ordinary goods carriers, are in fact highly dangerous mobile bombs that become apparent only when a tragic accident occurs. At CNG stations, gas is transferred directly into vehicles using unsafe methods, making even a minor lapse potentially catastrophic.
Under the leadership of Chairman Masroor Ahmed, OGRA’s enforcement department has reduced its role to bureaucratic correspondence and post-incident third-party inspections instead of proactive intervention. Despite receiving clear video evidence of the criminal activity at CNG stations, OGRA has failed to act. The question remains: is OGRA waiting for another disaster like the ones at Shell Pump F-7 Markaz Islamabad, Rahim Yar Khan, Muzaffargarh, and Multan, where several lives were lost? Can it justify its inaction with mere press releases based on third-party inspections?
While OGRA enforces licensing regulations for gas companies selling flare gas to industries, it turns a blind eye to its illicit sale at CNG stations. This deliberate negligence raises serious concerns about its enforcement credibility. Beyond safety risks, the black-market sale of flare gas results in billions of rupees in annual tax evasion, causing significant economic losses. Additionally, the use of substandard gas containers—whose entry into civilian areas is itself illegal—poses an imminent threat to innocent citizens.
Whether OGRA’s inaction is due to deliberate collusion or sheer negligence, urgent intervention is necessary. The Prime Minister of Pakistan and Federal Cabinet Secretary Kamran Afzal must demand accountability from OGRA for its failure to curb this dangerous illegal trade. Addressing this issue effectively would not only recover billions in lost tax revenue but also fulfill the government’s fundamental duty of protecting lives and public property.
