CJP concerned over surge in dollar rate, high inflation

NAB directed to hasten probe pace

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday expressed concern over high inflationary trends as well as a sudden surge in the value of the US dollar.

The chief justice expressed the concern while hearing suo motu matter pertaining to levying of new taxes on electricity, oil and gas bills.

The chief justice said rising prices had left people worried. “Inflation is not being controlled,” the chief justice said.



Informing the court that NAB was probing the LNG imports, Attorney General of Pakistan Anwar Mansoor Khan accused the previous government of nepotism with regard to appointments in the Pakistan State Oil. “The national exchequer has incurred a loss on this account.”

The AGP requested for in-camera briefing on the LNG import contract which was accepted by the bench.

Counsel for the PSO said the Public Procurement and Regulatory Authority (PPRA) may help correct the POL prices. He said the prices might be reduced to some degree if the management gave the authority some time.



To this the chief justice said people should be provided relief “even if the differential amounts to one paisa”.

The chief justice then grilled the PSO counsel over illegal appointments. The counsel said only the PSO managing director had been appointed by the previous government.

The court was informed that the top functionary was paid a monthly salary of Rs3.7 million. On being made cognizant of the figures, the chief justice took a jibe at such munificence having been shown to the individual in question.

Meanwhile, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday said five million houses cannot be constructed through an announcement and added that when a cage for pigeons is made even the number of birds that will reside in it are considered.

The chief justice made the remarks while hearing the case regarding informal settlements across the country. A report was also submitted before the bench headed by Justice Nisar regarding informal settlements in Balochistan.