SHC directs Sindh to formulate SOPs for opening shops at highways

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday directed the National Highway Authority, federal and provincial law officers to file comments on a petition seeking opening of auto workshops, oil depots and transport related shops at the highways.

The petitioners, who are transporters of goods, submitted that although the government has relaxed restrictions on movement of goods transport during the Covid-19 pandemic and the lockdown, however, the transport related shops including auto workshops, petrol pumps, oil depots, tyre repair shops, driver hotels, spare parts shops remain closed causing severe problems to drivers. They submitted that it is very difficult for the goods transporters to supply essential products and edible items unless these shops are allowed to function.

The federal and provincial law officers sought time to file comments on behalf of National Highway Authority and others relevant departments. The provincial law officer submitted that according to his information, such shops were allowed to be opened on highways but sought further time to file comments.

SHC’s division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar directed the provincial law officer to come up with standard operating procedure if any by the provincial government to handle the situation, and adjourned the hearing till May 6.