ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will announce its verdict on the petitions filed against the closure of gas supply to CNG stations of Potohar region here on Thursday (today).
Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, who had earlier reserved his decision in this matter, will announce it.
On the previous hearing, Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui had reserved his judgement in this matter after the completion of arguments of all the parties while maintaining the stay orders against the closure of gas supply to the CNG stations.
Qamar Afzal Advocate representing the owners of CNG stations had contended that the system of gas supply was run under the Council of Common Interest (CCI) before the approval of 18th Amendment while now Economic Coordination Committee is taking decisions in this connection. He was of the view that Oil and Gas Regulator Authority (OGRA) should have the right to take decisions regarding the supply of the gas. Qamar Afzal had argued that Prime Minister took the decision against the code of conduct and above the law in the meeting of ECC.
He maintained that ECC has no authority to deal with gas matters and it can give only guidelines.  Any decision taken by it will be termed as illegal. The counsel for owners of CNG stations said that the sector is being targeted.
He said that it was decided to supply CNG for 3 days a week following the consultation between the government and SNGPL Committee. Later Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif had announced to supply gas to industrial sector as well due to which CNG sector is heading towards disaster.
Justice Siddiqui had remarked that the court could not direct that gas should be given to this sector and it should not be given to another. However, he added that the court could direct that OGRA rules should be kept in view in this whole process.
It is pertinent to mention here that the government suspended gas supply to the CNG stations in the Potohar region for three months on December 2013. But the owners of some 77 stations challenged this decision of government in the IHC.
The IHC had directed the petroleum ministry to supply gas to all CNG stations of Potohar region including the twin cities till the final decision of these petitions.