ISLAMABAD, July 21: The Network for Consumer Protection has urged the Supreme Court to include it as a party in a case regarding permission to a private transport company to operate a franchise bus service in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

The network’s executive director, Dr Zafar Mirza, submitted a written application seeking involvement of the NGO in the case to assist the apex court in reaching a decision which ensured rights of the citizens.

The Punjab government allowed the transport company to operate in the twin cities in 1999 under a decision which sought cancellation of route permits of other transporters.

The transporters had challenged the decision in the Lahore High Court and a single bench ruled against the government decision. Later, a division bench decided against the judgment of the single bench on December 10, 2002.