SHC gives 15 days for removal of substandard cylinders from public transport

KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday ordered the traffic authorities to ensure removal of substandard cylinders from all public transport vehicles within 15 days, ARY News reported.

A two-member divisional bench of the SHC headed by Justice Irfan Sadat was hearing a case against removal of substandard CNG cylinders and kits from public transport vehicles. After hearing arguments from both the sides, Justice Sadat ordered the DIG Traffic Arif Hanif that all public transport vehicles should be rid of substandard gas cylinders within 15 days.

The bench observed that installation of substandard CNG cylinders had led to loss of many precious lives; hence all such cylinders should be removed from vehicles forthwith so that citizens’ lives could be saved.

In February 2013, the SHC had asked the federal and provincial government officials to ensure substandard gas cylinders and CNG kits were removed from public transport vehicles. The court had stated that in case of non-compliance, the officials concerned might be charged for contempt of court.

In August 2013, the SHC had extended its deadline to the federal and provincial governments for taking ‘effective’ measures to remove the substandard gas cylinders, tanks and CNG kits from public transport vehicles operating across Sindh.

The petition was filed by a non-government organisation, United Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, which had approached the court seeking a ban on installation of substandard gas cylinders, tank and CNG kits in public and private transport.