Regularization of service: SC adjourns hearing due to absence of SSGC's counsel

Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday adjourned the hearing of the petition of Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGCL) against the decision of high court to regularize the services of 280 employees. At Karachi Registry, the SC bench adjourned the hearing of the case due to non-appearance of main counsel of the utility, which filed the appeal against the decision of high court.
Shua-ul-Nabi Advocate, counsel of the employees told the court that high court regularized the services of 280 employees, which has been challenged in the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Sindh High Court (SHC) sought the replies from its Registrar, session judges and others in the province regarding a petition for disposing of the cases related to gas shortage, its theft and over-billing in Sindh. A division bench of the SHC directed the parties concerned to submit their replies by January 15, 2019 in the petition, filed by the SSGCL.
Asim Iqbal Advocate, counsel of SSGCL submitted before the court that gas is being theft in various parts of the province and stated that gas theft and delay in billing are causing its shortage in Sindh. He submitted that gas theft is causing heavy monetary losses to the national exchequer and said that session judge of each district should be bound hear the case regarding gas theft and over-billing under Gas Theft Act 2016. The counsel stated that session judges refer such cases to their sub-ordinates rater than hearing themselves.