Peshawar High Court lambasts NAB for selective action against graft

Summons federal petroleum minister, Ogra chairman and NAB DG in flour, petrol crises case

PESHAWAR: A Peshawar High Court (PHC) bench on Wednesday came down hard on the country’s top anti-graft body – the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) – for ignoring serious issues affecting the general public and for being selective in its approach to corruption.

“NAB chairman takes notices of various issues but is silent on recent flour and petrol crises. NAB takes interest in cases, which suit it. It has never taken notice of corruption in public interest,” noted a PHC division bench comprising Justice Qaiser Rashid Khan and Justice Ahmed Ali.

The bench had resumed hearing on a slew of petitions against ongoing flour and petrol crises.

“People are suffering because of flour and petrol shortage but nobody is bothered. The ministers and their officials only attended meetings and enjoy perks and privileges,” Justice Qaiser added.

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) officials appeared in the court and said the regulator has formed a committee to take action against gas stations that are not selling petrol despite having stock.

"Don't deceive us in the name of the committee. We want to hear what your office has done for the public. We don't believe in committees and their outcomes,” Justice Qaiser said.

He said whenever the government desires to hide some matter it forms a committee for it. “Everyone knows that nothing happens after identification of people,” he said.

Khyber Pakhtunkwa (K-P) secretary food also appeared before the bench and said flour and wheat was being supplied to the K-P from Punjab and the rate of flour will return to normal in a few weeks. The court directed the secretary food to submit a detailed report on the subject.

The PHC also summoned the federal minister for petroleum, secretary petroleum, Ogra chairman and NAB director general for the K-P to appear before the bench today (Thursday).

The petrol prices have continued to drop at the international level in the wake of coronavirus pandemic. The government has also reduced prices of fuel to transfer the benefit to people. However, there has emerged a shortage of fuel in various parts of the country.

On Tuesday, the federal cabinet took serious notice of this “artificial” shortage as Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the petroleum division and Ogra to ensure the supply of petrol across the country within 48 to 72 hours.

He instructed the petroleum ministry and Ogra to ensure that every oil marketing company maintains a 21-day stock to meet its licence conditions and also ordered concerned authorities to take strict action against those responsible for creating the “artificial” shortage.