Punjab allowed to open bids for purchase of 100 Euro-II buses

RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday allowed Punjab government to open tenders for purchase of only 100 Euro-II diesel buses for Rapid Bus Transit System (RBTS).

The court issued this order in a civil miscellaneous application filed by Punjab government praying to vacate the stay against purchase of buses. The court will now proceed with the main petition on September 17.

The court on September 03, had restrained the Punjab government from opening of bids for purchase of 1200 Euro-II diesel buses.

The petition was moved by Gujranwala City Tours through Taffazul H Rizvi.

On Friday, Advocate General (AG) Punjab Ashtar Ali Ausaf, secretary transport and representatives of oil refineries appeared before the court.

A G Ashtar argued that provincial government wants to import 200 Euro-II diesel buses for colleges and universities and 100 for RBTS. He said the government was unable to import the buses due to stay order and the commuters of the city would face immense problems. He, therefore, prayed to the court to allow the government to open bids for procuring only 100 Euro-II diesel buses. He said the petitioner had no grievance against purchase of buses for BRTS.

Following court notices, some representatives of oil refineries and Secretary Transport Department Captain Muhammad Yousuf (retd) also appeared before the court and informed it that Euro-I diesel buses were causing environmental pollution in the country while Euro-II diesel buses wouldn’t emit pollution, they added.

The representative of oil refineries said they had ample stock of Euro-II diesel for supply on demand. The court after hearing all the representatives and plea of the government allowed it to open bids for purchase of 100 Euro-II buses.