The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday reserved the verdict on its 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 reserved the judgment after the concluding arguments of both the Federation and CNG stations owners’ counsel. The court would announce its decision on February 6.
Earlier, 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.
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 had directed the Petroleum Ministry to supply gas to all CNG stations of Potohar region including the twin cities.
