LAHORE, Dec 18: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday extended its stay order against alleged harassment to LPG distributors and dealers by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).

Justice Ijazul Ahsan resumed hearing of the case but the Ogra counsel sought adjournment and time to file reply to the petitions filed by the LPG distributors.

The judge allowed the request and postponed hearing till Jan 11, 2013 with extension in the stay order issued on the previous hearing.

The LPG distributors had filed petitions challenging actions taken by Ogra against them for not selling gas as per new price fixed by the authority. The petitioners also assailed a fresh notification issued on Dec 8 increasing the gas price.

The petitioners pleaded that the matter pertaining to the gas price was sub judice and the respondent authority had given an undertaking that it would not issue new prices. However, they said, the authority betrayed the court and issued a notification forcing the companies and shopkeepers to sell gas for Rs125 per kilogram.

The petitioners complained that the respondent authority started raiding companies and shops to ensure the sale of LPG as per new price. They prayed to the court to restrain Ogra from taking ‘illegal’ actions.

SUMMONED: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday summoned the chief executive officer of Gujranwala electric power company (Gepco) on a contempt of court petition filed by two suspended sub-divisional officers (SDOs). Petitioners Muhammad Iqbal Butt and Zulfiqar Ali Joya contended that the respondent CEO had suspended them on Nov 3, 2011 on charges of professional misconduct. They said at the time of their suspension they were in custody of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in connection with another case.

The petitioners said they had challenged their suspension before the high court and the court had directed the respondent to decide their representation within 15 days. They pointed out that over two months had elapsed but the respondent failed to decide their representation.

The petitioners pleaded that contempt proceedings should be initiated against the respondent for disobeying the court’s order.

After hearing the contention Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan adjourned hearing till Dec 21 and directed Gepco CEO Mahboob Alam to appear in person.