Lahore High Court Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial, adjourning the hearing of petitions against sub-standard CNG cylinders, on Monday sought submissions from the petitioners’ counsels.
The chief justice passed the orders while hearing petitions filed by Rana Mehtab and Fazal Mehmood.
As proceedings started, the OGRA’s counsel appeared before the court and submitted a report regarding Gujrat school van accident.
He also apprised that the OGRA had written letters to provincial government for taking precautionary steps but to no avail.
However, a provincial law officer said that the government was taking precautionary steps and many vehicles were fined and impounded on violations of safety regulations. He also submitted a report in this regard.
To a court query on use of sub-standard conversion kit in Gujrat van accident, the law officer admitted that a few vehicles managed to bypass the system. He also conceded that there was a shortage of motor vehicle inspectors.
The court observed that field inspection was a very critical feature but OGRA had no field force, therefore, the personnel have to be provided by the provincial government for the purpose.
The court further observed that the priority should be given to field inspection as well as vehicle checking to ensure safety standards.
The chief justice adjourning the hearing of matter till July 8 directed petitioners’ counsels to study the reports filed by the respondents and make submissions on next date of hearing.
Rana Mehtab through his petition submitted that many persons lost their lives due to explosion of sub-standard CNG cylinders but respondent departments were not performing their duty to check it.
He pleaded the court that directions be issued to respondents for taking immediate action against sub-standard CNG cylinder manufacturers and sub-standard installation workshops.
Fazal Mehmood through his petition also sought directions for action against overloading in motor cycle-rickshaws besides action against sub-standard cylinders.
