SHC issues notices to in Low Quality CNG Cylinder case

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) Friday issued notices in petition seeking court directives to respondents to take action against installation/ production of substandard, low quality CNG cylinders/ kits in public transport vehicles.

The notices have been issued to secretaries ministries of Interior, Petroleum & Natural Resources, Chairman Oil & Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan (HDIP), Chief Inspector of Explosives, Department of Explosives, Ministry of Industries, All Pakistan CNG Association, Home secretaries of four provinces in petition seeking court directives to respondents to take action against installation/ production of substandard, low quality CNG cylinders/ kits in public transport vehicles and ensure implementation of existing safety and security laws/ regulations regarding production/ installation of CNG cylinders/ kits in public transport vehicles.

The petition, filed under Article 199 of Constitution by journalist Israr Ahmed, through his counsel Farrukh Usman came up for hearing on Friday before a division bench comprising SHC Chief Justice Mushir Alam & Justice Ahmed Ali Sheikh.

After hearing preliminary arguments of petitioner counsel, SHC issued notices to respondents and adjourned further hearing.

Petitioner prayed to direct respondents to check production and installation of sub standard cylinders, ensure implementation of relevant safety laws, regulations, payment of compensation to heirs of victims, killed in cylinders blasts in public transports vehicles recently.

Petitioner's counsel submitted that recently there had been alarming increase in CNG cylinders' blats in public transport vehicles in different parts of country that claimed score of lives.

He stated as it has been reported in media blasts occurred/ occurring due to use of substandard CNG cylinders, kits, fittings. Respondents took no steps to check use/ installation, production of sub-standard CNG cylinders, kits to ensure security, safety of lives of citizens, which was their legal and constitutional obligation. (PPI)