However, the ban was lifted in August 2008 following the directions of Supreme Court of Pakistan and new licenses were issued to open 38 CNG stations in Balochistan and one in Punjab. The committee was informed that the government again imposed ban on issuance of new CNG licenses in Balochistan in October, 2011. It was further told that Ogra had not granted any new CNG license except the 39 licenses after imposition of ban by the government.
A provisional licence for establishment of CNG station is initially granted for a period of two years under Rule-6 of the CNG (Production & Marketing) Rules, 1992 subject to the condition that the licensee will acquire all relevant No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from federal/provincial/local authorities. The district/local authorities are the relevant authority under the applicable law to grant NOC for setting up of CNG stations at a particular site.
After completion of installation of the CNG station, a third party pre-commissioning inspection is carried out to confirm the compliance of the installations as per requirements of CNG Rules, 1992/Standard Code of Practice through one of authority's designated Third Party Inspector's. On satisfactory completion of works certified by the third Party Inspector appointed by Ogra, commercial operation of CNG station is allowed and the license is extended for a period of fifteen (15) years.