SHORT FALL OF COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) AND ISSUES OF AFFECTED COMMUNITY; A ANTHROPOLOGICAL STUDY OF VEHICLE OWNER'S IN ISLAMABAD AND RAWALPINDI

A strong energy sector in any of its form is one of the main development indicators of any country. In this regard, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is comparatively less priced than other fuels like petrol and diesel. Pakistan is world's third largest consumers of CNG where 100,000 vehicles use the same fuel. Whereas, at present Pakistan is facing its history's worst gas short falls. Multiple reasons of this crisis are reported but one of the major reasons is issuance of unlimited licenses for establishing CNG stations without developing and following any policy. Present research plans on to find out impact of CNG shortfall on socio-economic state of its consumers. For data collection, a self-administered structured questionnaire was used following a pilot testing to rectify the possible errors. Study respondents comprised of both men and women belonging to different age groups whereas main groups lied between 25 to 30 years.. Findings of study showed that CNG shortfall have a vital impact on economic condition of consumers and 100% of the respondents confirmed an additional monthly burden on their budgets from minimum PKR.1000 to above PKR.3500.Whereas findings regarding impact of this crisis on social lives of people reveals that people are having less social gatherings, routine late arrivals at offices; restrict family affairs etc. Long queues for hours and hours consume most of productive time of working class leaving them with economic loses. Finding also reveals that government has no clear policy to encounter the situation to make people's life easy and for a better tomorrow. However respondents think that if willing government can improve the situation by taking measures like control line losses, explore new gas resources, reduce gas permits and serious policy making along with strict implementation of laws.