LAHORE, Nov 29: The Lahore High Court denied on Thursday an instant relief to CNG station owners about action by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority against them for closing their stations in protest at cheap prices of the fuel gas fixed by the authority.

The owners pleaded that the sale of CNG on the prices fixed by Ogra was not feasible as it would cause a huge financial loss to them.

The petitioners’ counsel said Ogra and the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited had forced them to sell gas on “irrational” rates.

The SNGPL counsel said the matter was being heard by the Supreme Court. He said the apex court had ordered a cut in gas prices but CNG station owners did not want to pass the benefit on to the masses. He said the closure of stations was an illegal and immoral act.

Justice Ayesha A Malik dismissed the application and issued notices to respondents on the main petition for Dec 17.