Islamabad’s traders and the All Rawalpindi Restaurants Association petitioned the IHC’s Justice Mohsin Akhtar Kayani to review their case regarding the government’s decision to “force conversion” of their utility connections to re-gasified liquid natural gas.
The disconnection of gas connections issued by SNGPL has been contested by the petitioners.
The petitioners’ legal counsel argued that SNGPL has no right to cut off gas connections because gas is a necessity for their enterprises.
It was further argued that the SNGPL authority had sent notices on October 25, 2022, regarding the disconnection of gas connections during the upcoming winter in favour of an alternative supply of RLNG, which is more expensive than the aforementioned gas tariff rate.
According to the petition, the problem here is the unilateral imposition of a new commercial consumer contract, the RLNG contract, and the firm authorities’ determination to cut off the supply of gas at the premises in the event that the proposed new contract is not signed.
Additionally, the petitioners have been told to sign the contract in the next two days.
The petitioners asked the court to overturn SNGPL’s orders and urged the court to enjoin SNGPL until the petition was resolved.
Gas supply is already available to the petitioners at their restaurants, and it shall not be disconnected until the next date of hearing, Justice Kayani has requested a response from SNGPL.
