MANSEHRA: The district administration has asked the owners of compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations to suspend supply of gas to vehicles for six hours a day otherwise they would be taken to task.

`The gas pressure has dropped with the advent of winter in the district henceforth CNG stations would remain closed for six hours a day,` Aamir Khattak, deputy commissioner, told journalists at his office here on Wednesday.

A notification in this regards was also issued to the owners of CNG stations in the district. `Besides issuing separate notices to the individuals, the association of the CNG is also informed of gas suspension schedule, said Mr Khattak.

He said that gas supply to vehicles would remain suspended from 6am to 9am in morning and from 5pm to 8pm in the evening. The violators of the schedule would be taken to task and their CNG stations would be sealed for two years.

Mr Khattak said that the assistant commissioner was tasked to check CNG stations daily so that domestic consumers could be provided with adequate gas at both times.

The upper parts of Hazara including Mansehra have been in the grip of severe cold since the first snowfall and rain of the current winter season which has dropped the pressure of gas in the city and its adjoining areas.

MEETING: The deputy commissioner also directed heads of government departments not to bow before any sort of unjustified pressure and perfrom their duty with honesty.

`I strictly warn you to be punctual and follow merit in appointments and other official work. The officials found involved in discrepancies and favouritism would be dealt under strict law,` he told a meeting of heads and senior officers of line departments at his office on Wednesday.

The meeting was also attended by assistant commissioners of Balakot, Mansehra and Oghi.

`Transfers and posting should be made only on merit. Never bother to any unjustified political pressure as I want corruptionfree departments which are working only for the betterment and welfare of people, he told the officials.

Mr Khattak said that in accordance with the policy of provincial government no ghost school and health facility would be tolerated at any cost. The heads of both the departments should ensure that ofHcials at far-off health centres and schools perform their duty regularly.

`I would also pay surprise visits to offices, schools and health facilities and those found absent would be dealt under relevant laws,` said Mr Khattak.