Islamabad: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday allowed 77 CNG stations in Rawalpindi and Islamabad to operate three days a week.
The written order calls for the suspension of the government’s order to shut down CNG stations in the twin cities for three months, stating that CNG stations will remain open for three days a week in all areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui had heard the case in the IHC.
However, an official of the gas distribution company, said the relief would disturb the supply of natural gas to the domestic consumers and the government would file an appeal against the ruling next week.
It may be noted that in November 2011 the IHC had granted a similar relief to the CNG stations but later withdrew it after the government challenged the verdict.
On December 2, the government suspended the supply of gas to the CNG stations in the Pothohar region for three months citing shortage of gas to meet the rising domestic demand in the winter.
On Thursday, IHC Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui issued the order after the 77 CNG station owners challenged the government decision. The court directed the government to restore the previous schedule of supplying gas to the petitioners for two days a week.
The court also ordered the owners of CNG stations to submit their case in the Council of Common Interests (CCI) in 90 days.
Qamar Afzal, the counsel for the petitioners, argued that the government had not issued any formal notification and unilaterally suspended the gas supply.
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