LHC seeks parliamentary probe into fuel crisis

LAHORE:

Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan has suggested to the federal government the formation of a parliamentary committee to hold an inquiry into shortage of petroleum products in the country during the past month.

The CJ on Tuesday rejected a petitioner’s request to withdraw his petition on a plea that the shortage had come to an end.

He was hearing several petitions against allegedly deliberate creation of a shortage of petroleum products in the province.

The National Assembly speaker should constitute a committee consisting of members from both the treasury and opposition benches to probe into the matter within 15 days, the LHC CJ stated.

The CJ also made clear to the government that the law would take its course if the National Assembly speaker would not constitute the committee.

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The attorney general sought exemption for a day from personal appearance for the principal secretary to the prime minister. Replying to a question from the chief justice, he said the official was busy because of a cabinet meeting.

The CJ asked the OGRA chairperson when she had joined the regulatory authority. She said she had been appointed in 2016. What action had been taken against OGRA authorities, the CJ Khan asked.

The committee should submit its report before parliament and the LHC. If parliament did not want to do so then it should assist the court for the constitution of a judicial commission, the CJ told the AGP.

The CJ adjourned the proceedings till July 9.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 1^st, 2020.