Not our job, parties tell SHC

HDIP says it only checks cylinders brought to it; traffic cops say they regulate traffic

The Sindh High Court was irked on Tuesday when the parties, in a plea pertaining to the installation of substandard compressed natural gas (CNG) cylinders, shirked the responsibility to inspect the cylinders.

A two-member bench, headed by Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and comprising Justice Amjad Ali Sahito, thereafter, sought a progress report on action against workshops that are not licenced and improvements in the system of the inspection of CNG cylinders.

As the hearing began, the court enquired about the implementation of its previous orders of the use and inspection of CNG cylinders.

"Have CNG stations been applying for certificates [verifying the quality of CNG cylinders] to the Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP)?" asked Justice Mazhar.

The counsel for All Pakistan CNG Association informed the court that just four CNG stations had applied for the certificate thus far.

Following that, the court turned its attention to the issue of licenced workshops, stating that they should be established to ensure that uncertified CNG kits were not installed in any vehicle.

When enquired about the inspection of CNG kits, the representative of the HDIP said the organisation checked only those kits that vehicle owners brought to it for inspection.

"If it is checking only those kits that are brought to it for inspection, then what is the point of having the organisation?" the court rebuked.

It questioned that if the HDIP would not check all CNG cylinders, then how would all kits beings installed in vehicles be certified.

The HDIP's representative maintained that it was up to vehicle owners whether they brought the kits to the organisation for inspection.

At this, the court enquired what the traffic police had been doing in this regard.

"Who will check the workshops and CNG cylinders?" questioned Justice Mazhar.

The traffic police DIG replied that his department was only responsible for regulating the traffic.

Irked by the response, Justice Sahito admonished, "If everybody says it's not their job, then who would work [to address the issue]?"

As the hearing neared end, the additional advocate general informed the court that the Sindh government was working on amending motor vehicle laws.

Besides, the focal person told the court that changes were being made in the system for checking the fitness of CNG kits and rules for the installation of CNG kits in school vans were also being amended.

Adjourning the hearing until February 23, the court directed the relevant authorities to continue action against the use of substandard CNG kits, and the Sindh IGP to submit a report after taking action workshops that are not licenced.

Rape probes

Separately, the court directed the relevant authorities to investigate rape cases from all angles so that real culprits could be taken to task.

"Crime must be examined from every angle. In the West, adultery with will is not a voluntary crime," the court remarked, adding that the nature of sexual abuse should also be scrutinised.

Hearing a plea seeking prompt punishments in cases of women's rape, the court further stated, "Few days ago there was a case in which a woman trapped a man. Hundreds guilty may be spared but no innocent person should be punished."

Besides, the medico-legal reforms committee submitted a report to the court

The reforms committee head said that the committee was confused when it came to distinguishing between adultery and forced adultery, and hence, laws on sexual abuse needed to be made more comprehensive.

Following that, additional police surgeon Dr Samia said the two-finger test was discontinued worldwide.

She also pointed out that in Karachi, which had a population of around 25 million, had just 11 female medico-legal officers (MLOs).

"And then there are investigation officers who ask whether a woman/girl is a virgin or not," she added.

At this, the court remarked, "If the IO doesn't ask the question, an innocent person could be punished."

The representative of the health department also highlighted the shortage of female doctors and MLOs in Sindh.

Seeking a reply from the Sindh government on the report submitted by the reforms committee, the court adjourned the hearing.

With additional input from ppi

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2021.