ISLAMABAD, April 26: The Supreme Court on Monday warned the Sui Southern Gas Company to implement its judgment in letter and spirit by reinstating all the sacked employees or face a contempt proceeding.

SSGC's managing director, who appeared in person on Monday, sought a general adjournment because of the absence of the company's counsel but Justice Iftikhar, leading the bench comprising Justice Rana Bhagwan Das and Justice Sardar Mohammad Raza Khan, expressed annoyance at the adjournment request.

The MD of the gas distribution company, however, explained that the company had partially implemented the judgment by absorbing a certain number of employees. At this justice Iftikhar observed that the court just wanted to see its judgment implemented in absolute terms, adding that there should be no ifs and buts.

A larger bench, comprising seven judges, had reinstated hundreds of sacked employees of SSGC on May 2, 2003. But when SSGC management failed to implement the court order, the affected employees approached the supreme court with a contempt of court petition against the company.

The bench also asked the company's MD to take care of the financial grievances of the poor employees, who were fighting a legal battle for several years. The MD replied that a stipend worth Rs500 per month was being given to affected employees. But the bench observed that these employees should be regularized with all admissible benefits. The court adjourned the case till May 12.