OGRA chair forced leave: Court adjourns case till April 6

Prosecution argues Saeed Ahmed Khan’s presence could influence the probe.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court on Wednesday adjourned till April 6 the hearing of an appeal filed by the federation against a single-judge bench decision to suspend a notification sending the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) chairman on forced leave.

The defence counsel and additional attorney general presented their arguments before the division bench comprising Justice Athar Minullah and Justice Aamer Farooq.

Earlier, Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi, while suspending the notification on forced leave, had issued orders for the Ogra chairman’s reinstatement. The federation has filed an appeal against the single-judge bench’s decision.

In his arguments, Advocate Babar Sattar, representing the Ogra chairman, said Saeed Ahmed Khan was not responsible for the petroleum crisis, adding that there was no post for acting chairman under the Ogra rules and regulations.

Additional Attorney General (AAG) Afnan Karim Kundi said that Khan was sent on forced leave as his presence could influence the inquiry into the crisis.

In January, a severe petrol shortage hit many cities across Pakistan, forcing public transport off the roads and prompting scuffles at petrol stations. Later, a commission was set up by the prime minister to investigate the 10-day fiasco, as every major party in the oil supply chain seemed to be blaming others the shortage.

On February 11, the cabinet division sent Khan on forced leave due to his alleged role in the crisis. Khan had argued that under the Ogra Ordinance, the chairman can only be removed if found to be physically or mentally incompetent, or guilty of misconduct, and therefore, he cannot be sent on forced leave.

Following the arguments, the court set April 6 for the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2015.