20000105

AWT plans to take over

petrol pumps

in cantt areas

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The Army Welfare Trust (AWT) plans to increase its petroleum products service outlets by taking over, in a phased programme and even through coercive means, all the petrol pumps located in cantonment and other military controlled areas in the country, it was learnt on Tuesday.

To begin with, they have already evicted the owners of the CSD Petrol Pump, Malir Cantonment, despite a stay order granted to the owners of the pump by the Sindh High Court on December 30, 1999. The petrol pump is closed and the Pakistan State Oil (PSO) has refused to supply petrol and other products till the matter is finally disposed of by the court.

PSO sources said that they were in a quandary as to whom they should supply their products. They had a renovation and face-lifting plan for the pump but that too has been shelved.

The AFT has identified a few more petrol pumps in the cantonment areas which are presently being managed by private parties, but would soon be taken over to be managed by the (AWT).

Members of the All Pakistan Petroleum Association have bitterly criticised the take-over of the CSD Petrol Pump by the Malir Cantonment authorities.

CSD Petrol Pump owners in a suit against the Government of Pakistan through the Ministry of Defence; Ordnance Centre, Commandant Ordnance Centre, Malir Cantt; and PSO has challenged the take-over of the pump by the army authorities before the expirey of lease granted to them for a period of seven years from January 1, 1999 ending on December 31, 2005 on a monthly rent of Rs 20,000.

The owners of the pump have informed the court that Lt. Col. Rashid Khan at the instance of General Officer Commanding, Malir Cantonment, had on telephone informed them that the GOC wanted the pump vacated by December 31, 1999. Earlier, it is alleged, Col. Rashid had warned the owners if they did not vacate the pump by the said date, they would be "forcibly thrown out" of the premises.

The owners have protested to the Chief of Army Staff and other concerned authorities against "such violent threat" from the army personnel.