January 28, 2014
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday extended the stay order for supply of gas to CNG stations in the Potohar region including twin cities of Islamabad/Rawalpindi three days a week. A single member bench comprising Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui resumed hearing of a contempt of court petition filed by 77 CNG station owners against the SNGPL officials for not allowing them to operate despite the court order.
During the course of the proceeding, counsel for the petitioner Advocate Qamar Afzal Khan appraised the court that citizens were facing immense difficulties following the closure of gas supply to the CNG satiations. He contended that seven percent of the total gas was being supplied to the CNG stations.
Justice Siddiqui said that the court wanted to decide the petition as soon as possible and would hear the case on day to day basis and subsequently adjourned the hearing of the case for Tuesday. Earlier, in December 2013, the government suspended gas supply to the CNG stations in the Potohar region for three months, which was challenged in the IHC by the 77 CNG station owners. The IHC directed the Petroleum Ministry to supply gas to all CNG stations of Potohar region including the twin cities.
The court in its order said, "Previous order through which all the CNG Stations of Islamabad and Rawalpindi Regions were allowed to operate for three days a week, shall continue to hold its field and fresh order imposing complete ban on supply of CNG shall remain suspended till the final decision of the case." "Prima-facie, contentions of the petitioners are not only reasonable, but supported by the fact that in all the provinces CNG stations are allowed to operate at least for three days a week," Justice Siddiqui observed in his order.
CNG stations in Potohar region: IHC extends stay order against gas suspension | Business Recorder
