P L D (Rev (PLP)

NASIR AHMAD.‑This order will dispose of the three connected appeals Nos. 20, 23 and 27 of 1955‑

56. The Regional Transport Authority, Multan in their meeting held on 9th December 1955, granted two permits to the respondent company i.e. the Haryana United Transport Company Limited to ply between Multan and Mian Channu. The three appellants, who run from Mian Channu to Khane wal, a town about midway to Multan, have come up in appeal. The main ground urged is that the appellant companies run on short routes round about Multan, whereas the respondent s is a long distance carrier most of whose, services run from Multan to Lahore or Multan to Montgomery. Besides the appellant companies who are already running along this route, were providing sufficient transport facilities to meet public needs. In any case if an increase is needed the appellants should have been given preference otherwise their existing rights will be adversely affected to an appreci able extent. It is contended on behalf of the respondent on the other hand that they are an efficient concern, further, their activities are not confined merely to long distance routes as they also have a permit to ply between Multan and Mitru, which is a local service. It is not denied that there is no direct transport service between Mian Channu and Multan and the need for it is quite obvious as Multan is the head quarters of the district‑‑also of the Division ; thus a direct connection between these two towns is a real necessity. There undoubtedly are shuttle services running between Mian Channu and Khanewal and further on to Multan and these in a way can meet the requirements of passengers from Mian Channu to Multan but the existence of a direct service between these two towns as already stated is an apparent necessity. I have already observed in another case Okara Bus Service Ltd. v. Ravi Transport Co. Ltd. (P L D (Rev.) 1956 W. P. 26) to‑day that in the absence of any statistical data it would be more proper for a Regional Transport Authority to increase transport facilities in stages so that existing, transport companies are not adversely affected; further this method will also give an indication to the Regional Transport Authority to gauge the extent of increase in traffic and thus the requirements of the public. In this particular case also I would, following the above principle, accept the appeal to the extent of reducing the number of permits granted to the respondents to one leaving it to the Regional Transport Authority to see later on as to what the likely requirements of the public are. In case increased transport facilities are needed I have no doubt that the Regional Transport Authority will keep in view the claims of the existing transport companies already plying on this route or on a section of this route. A. H. Appeal accepted in part.