Representing the association, Barrister Usman Awan pleaded that the government had no jurisdiction to order loadshedding. - File photo

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Monday directed the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) to apprise the court of the law under which CNG loadshedding was being carried out. Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah issued this order while hearing a writ petition filed by the All Pakistan Compressed Natural Gas Association against loadshedding.

Representing the association, Barrister Usman Awan pleaded that the government had no jurisdiction to order loadshedding. He said besides public, families dependent on CNG business were facing difficulties and financial losses. He asked the court to set aside the three-day a week CNG loadshedding by declaring it unconstitutional and in violation of people’s fundamental rights.

The judge heard initial arguments and sought replies from respondents. Next hearing will be held on Dec 13 (today).

After proceedings, association’s central chairman Ghiyas Abdullah Paracha told reporters that the government had committed and signed agreement with CNG sector for 12 months gas supply. He said CNG sector did not have any alternative fuel and business options.

The business remained closed for three days a week due to loadshedding and for rest of the days because of low gas pressure. He said millions of people had been suffering because of CNG loadshedding.

court order: The Lahore High Court on Monday appointed a local commission to visit an allegedly demolished portion of a private institution in Walton area and verify the claim of the commissioner that no violation of court order was committed.

Commissioner Jawad Rafiq told the court that the government had not demolished the institution’s property and the bulldozed structure was not in the use of the institution.

At this the institution’s counsel alleged that the commissioner was lying to the court. He said the court had issued a stay order against the property demolished by the government.

To know the factual position, Justice Muhammad Khalid Mahmood Khan appointed a local commission and directed it to visit the site of the institution and report to the court by Dec 14 (tomorrow). Justice Khan in his remarks said violation of court’s orders would not be tolerated and the offender would have to face the music.

The petition was filed by Pakistan Foundation Technical Institution stating that the district government wanted to bulldoze its property leased out to it 40 years back. The proposed demolition was challenged before the court and the government was restrained from doing so.

The petitioner said the government razed the property in violation of the orders and committed contempt of court. Proceedings under contempt of court charges were sought against the commissioner and the district coordination officer.