CNG stations go to court over gas supply

The petroleum ministry, SNGPL and, OGRA are respondents in the petition.


Our Correspondent May 08, 2015
The petitioners claim the closure was unconstitutional. PHOTO: ONLINE

ISLAMABAD:


The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices to the Petroleum and Natural Resources ministry and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited over the supply of gas to CNG stations with directions to reply in a week.


Justice Noorul Haq Qureshi issued the notices while hearing a petition filed by 20 CNG stations’ owners in the twin cities.

The petroleum ministry, SNGPL and, OGRA are respondents in the petition.

The petitioners, through their counsel Raja Saifur Rehman, seek to challenge the “discriminatory and arbitrary treatment” vis-a-vis the cement and textile Industries in violation of a 2005 policy, which is still in effect.

In the petition, Rehman said consumption ratio of the petitioners according to the Energy Book was only 6.8 percent per annum, whereas the general industry consumes 22 per cent.

Except the petitioners, the whole general industry is being supplied natural gas for two days a week, whereas supply of gas to the petitioners has been totally closed, which they claim violates articles 9 and 18 of the Constitution.

Licenses were issued to the petitioners for production, distribution and marketing of compressed natural gas for a period of 15 years, but the condition is not being fulfilled, he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9th, 2015. 

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