Gas Supply Suspension: OGRA asked to file reply today

Petitioner contends that the three-day CNG loadshedding is unconstitutional.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court resumed its hearing on three-day gas loadshedding as adopted by government, on Monday and directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to file its reply.

Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah of Lahore High Court issued the order on Monday on petition of Ghias Paracha, chairman of CNG Filling Stations Association. The judge directed the respondent to explain that under which laws the CNG load shedding was being carried out.

Paracha submitted that CNG stations in several cities of Punjab have been closed for three days under the government’s load management plan in accordance with the weekly schedule.

He submitted that this decision had severely affected the business of filling stations and daily wagers across the province while the government had not taken any alternate measure to meet the energy crisis. He claimed that that government had no jurisdiction to order the load shedding.

He contended that the closure was in violation of the constitution as not only the public but the families of those owning CNG business were facing great difficulties amid mounting financial loss. He requested that the court to declare the three-day weekly loadshedding of CNG as unconstitutional and a violation of fundamental rights of citizens.

Updated from Print edition (below):

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) was asked by the Lahore High Court on Monday to explain why and under which law CNG supply was being suspended for three days during the week. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah issued the order on a petition filed by CNG Filling Stations Association chairman Ghias Paracha. The authority was given until Tuesday (today) to file a reply. Paracha submitted that the CNG supply to gas stations in the Punjab was being suspended for three days a week .

Published in The Express Tribune, December 13^th, 2011.