Notices issued to SSGC, ministry over CNG stations’ closure

Karachi
The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the ministry of petroleum and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and others on a petition against the notification pertaining to a three-day closure of supply to CNG stations in Sindh.
As many as 607 CNG station owners assailed the SSGC and ministry of petroleum’s decision, contending that it was ultra vires according to the Constitution.
Petitioners submitted that Sindh produces 70 per cent of the natural gas for the country whereas consumes 30 per cent of it, submitting that CNG stations’ consumed a minor amount as compared to other sectors.
They submitted that the decision to shutdown gas stations completely disregarded the natural gas allocation and management policy of 2005 as well as court orders which directed respondents to ensure uninterrupted gas supply to the petitioners.
The petitioners maintained that the CNG sector was designated the fourth position in the natural gas policy as compared to the captive power sector - placed at the fifth position – but CNG stations were directed to remain closed for three days a week, while the latter was to remain closed for only a day.
They submitted that the petitioners had the right to uninterrupted gas supply from the SSGC in view of Article 158 of the Constitution and could not be subjected to load-shedding of the natural gas.
The counsel of the petitioners submitted that the three-day shut down notification by the SSGC was unreasonable as neither did the province nor the country have any gas shortage. He argued that the insufficiency of gas stemmed only because of mismanagement and lack of efforts to control gas theft.
The counsel maintained that the SSGC was illegally demanding a three-day closure instead of two days which was causing immense financial losses to their businesses.
The court was prayed to declare the notice unlawful and restrain the respondents from implementing it.
The court was further requested to direct SSGC to supply gas to CNG stations and issue closure notice in accordance with the Constitution and natural gas policy 2005.
SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi issued notices to ministry of petroleum, SSGC and others for July 14.