Public nuisance: LHC orders smooth supply of fuel

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday directed the government to ensure a smooth supply of fuel at filling stations. It also sought a report about the arrest and detention of workers of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT).

Justice Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah also issued a show cause notice to District Coordination Officer Muhammad Usman for not appearing before the court despite being served several notices.

PTI Punjab president Ejaz Chaudhry and some others had filed petitions against the arrest of party workers, shortages of fuel and roadblocks.

The petitioners said the government had detained many party workers to keep them from participating in Azadi March on August 14. They said fuel stations had been closed across the province.

They requested the court to direct the government to remove barriers from streets, release party workers and ensure that fuel stations were open.

Advocate General Hanif Khatana and Operations DIG Haider Ashraf told the court all fuel stations were operational. The DIG said some politicians had been detained under the Punjab Maintenance of Public Order. Justice Shah had summoned the DCO but he failed to turn up. The judge then issued him a show cause with direction to submit an explanation on Tuesday (today).

Published in The Express Tribune, August 12^th,2014.