ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday declared the three-month closure of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) stations in the Potohar region as void and while announcing its verdict directed the station owners to resume the sale of CNG three days a week, DawnNews reported.

The IHC while condemning the decision given earlier by the Economic Coordination Council (ECC) regarding closure of the gas filling stations accepted the applications submitted by the CNG station owners.

The CNG station owners stated in their applications that the CNG stations had already been under severe financial crunch and the three months gas closure had worsen their problems. It was impossible for them to meet their expenses and pay salaries to the staff.

The applications further mentioned that the closure of the gas supply to the CNG sector for the three months would create unemployment.

The decision saved by the IHC’s Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui said that the gas stations of the twin-cities, Islamabad and Rawalpindi would remain open three days a week and the issue regarding the closure of stations would be taken to the Council of Common Interests (CCI) within 90 days.

The government on December 2 stopped the supply of gas to the CNG stations in the Potohar region for three months citing shortage due to the cold weather.

Earlier on December 20 the IHC had reserved its verdict on the issue and also directed the federal government to ensure uninterrupted supply of gas to the filling stations at least three days a week till the final order on the matter was announced.

Moreover, the IHC had also ordered a stay order in this regard.