Islamabad: The Supreme Court (SC) has ordered the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) to ensure gas supply to areas located near the extraction fields, a news source reported. A three-member bench of the SC noted that under Article 158 of the Constitution, ‘gas supply to areas from which it was extracted was mandatory’.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial headed the bench, which also
comprised Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Faisal Arab. The additional attorney
general told the bench that SSGC was aware of the principle mentioned in the
constitution. He added that this was why the company was supplying gas to the
areas within proximity on a priority basis. However, he said, that it was not
possible to supply gas to these areas within six months as the court has ordered.
The SC bench stated that the SSGC must adhere to its constitutional mandate. In response, the attorney general maintained that the company was prioritising all areas within five-kilometre radius of the gas field.
The SSGC’s lawyer stated that the company would ensure gas
supply to all the nearby areas but requires sufficient time for execution. He
told the court that the Sindh High Court (SHC) had issued a contempt notice to SSGC
– finding the company’s assurances dissatisfactory.
In this regard, the apex court suspended the
SHC’s contempt notice. On the other hand, Justice Bandial said that the SSGC
was bound to supply gas to urban areas and the industrial zones
