SHC orders forming body to address issue of unsafe CNG cylinders in vans

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday directed the chief secretary to constitute a committee for making necessary amendments to the motor vehicles ordinance with regard to control the use of unsafe CNG kits and cylinders in the vehicles.

The direction came on petitions filed by Muzamil Mumtaz Meo and Tariq Mansoor who had approached the SHC for directives to the relevant authorities against the use of CNG kits and cylinders in public transport and school vans. They had also sought action against some police officials who allegedly demanded a bribe from a rickshaw driver who died after setting himself ablaze in protest.

Another plea filed by the All Pakistan CNG Association was clubbed with the petitions. The association had challenged the government’s ban on the use of CNG in intercity buses, and school and college vehicles.

A provincial law officer submitted that draft bills for the establishment of the Sindh CNG Kit Cylinders Fitness Authority and amendments to the Provincial Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Ordinance 1965 had been sent to the Sindh chief minister for approval.

However, he submitted that after considering the draft bills, the provincial cabinet was of the view that instead of making a separate law for the establishment of a CNG cylinder fitness authority, they deemed it appropriate to make amendments to the motor vehicle ordinance 1965 to confer the powers to control the unauthorised CNG kits and cylinders on the transport department.

A division bench of the SHC headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar was informed that the cabinet had advised the CM to constitute a committee in this regard. However, a representative of the transport department submitted that no notification had so far been issued regarding the constitution of that committee.

The petitioners’ counsel agreed on the idea that instead of making separate legislation, some necessary powers may be conferred to the transport department under the motor vehicle

ordinance.

They requested the court to allow them to submit their suggestions in writing which may be considered by the committee as and when constituted by the government to deal with the matter. The high court directed the petitioners to submit their suggestions to the provincial law officer who will pass the same to the committee for consideration.

Seeking a progress report by January 28, the SHC further directed the chief secretary to ensure that the committee was constituted within 10 days with terms of reference and it would forward their proposals to the cabinet within one month from the date of its notification.