LHC summons principal secretary to PM

CJ directs officials to ensure availability of petrol in the country

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice (CJ) Muhammad Qasim Khan, expressing his dissatisfaction over the reply submitted by the principal secretary to Prime Minister Imran Khan, summoned him in person on a petition seeking direction to the quarters concerned to ensure the availability of petrol.

As the proceedings commenced, the LHC CJ expressed his displeasure over the absence of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairperson. “What the OGRA chairperson is doing, this court rejects OGRA chairperson’s application wherein the exemption from appearing before the court has been sought.” If she could not serve efficiently she could tender her resign, the CJ remarked.

The CJ made clear that those who created shortage of the petrol will not be spared at any cost. The CJ asked the petroleum secretary about the procedure of removing OGRA chairperson, to which the petroleum secretary told the court that she could be removed after getting approval from the cabinet.

Has someone moved any summary to cabinet for removing the OGRA chairperson, the CJ asked the secretary. The secretary responded to the court that no one has moved it.

The CJ then asked him on which date the shortage of the petroleum was occurred. “The shortage started on June 1 but we have been focusing this matter since March,” the petroleum secretary replied. 

Published in The Express Tribune, June 18^th, 2020.