Non-provision of gas connections

PHC issues notices to Ogra, SNGPL heads

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Monday issued notices to the chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the managing director of the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), directing them to explain why they were not providing gas connections to the petitioners.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Syed Afsar Shah and Justice Lal Jan Khattak issued notice to Ogra and SNGPL, directing to explain their position as why gas connections were not provided to the residents of Gulbela village on the outskirts of the provincial capital. Arbab Ikramullah and others residents of Gulbela had filed a writ petition, seeking the provision of gas connections to the village as they were deprived of the gas due to alleged political victimisation.

During the course of hearing, the lawyer of the petitioners, Javed Iqbal Gulbela submitted before the bench that despite repeated demands and applications gas connections were not being provided to the villagers. He submitted gas connections were not being provided to the residents of Gulbela due to political victimisation.

After hearing preliminary hearing, the bench issued notice to respondents to submit reply and explain their position at the next hearing.