LAHORE, Nov 12: The Lahore High Court on Monday directed the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) to issue gas connections strictly on merit and without any political interference.

The court passed this order on a petition accusing PPP MNA Tariq Anees of interfering in the process of gas connections to the residents of his constituency of Shakargarh.

A resident of Shakargarah filed a petition and submitted that he applied for a gas connection but the MNA was interfering in the matter.

He alleged the connections were being given to those applicants who gave an undertaking that they would cast vote to the MNA in the next election.

He said the SNGPL was rejecting the applications straightaway filed without an affidavit in support of the MNA.

The petitioner prayed to the court to take notice of the matter and direct the MNA not to interfere in the issuance of gas connections.

The court disposed of the petition and directed the SNGPL to issue connections without political influence of the respondent MNA.