Petroleum prices: LHC directs commission to complete probe
PHOTO: AFP
Chief Justice Lahore High Court Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan directed a commission, constituted to investigate how the prices of petroleum products were increased, to complete its probe till December 2.
Punjab’s top court was hearing different petitions seeking directions to concerned quarters for constituting commission on the shortage of petroleum products to probe how and why its deliberate shortage was created and its prices were increased.
“The court itself will start an investigation if the commission fails to wrap up the process of investigation till the said date,” the CJ observed.
“It is a case that may create a problem for the government,” the CJ Khan intimated.
The additional attorney general Ishtiaq A Khan implored the court that commission sought time of 6 to 8 weeks for the purpose of completion of its investigation. On a point, Ishtiaq A Khan ensured the court to complete the investigation by 4 weeks.
The petitioners made respondents to the federal government, ministry for petroleum, OGRA, Punjab government and others.
They contended that the petrol pumps created an artificial shortage of petroleum products as the process was reduced of the petroleum products.
The petrol pumps increased the prices of petrol pretending the shortage of petrol. The concerned quarters did nothing to stop the artificial crises and no action was taken against those who are selling it on exorbitant rates.
They prayed the court to pass directions to the concerned quarters to control the shortage of petroleum products, its prices and ensure its provision to the needy masses.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2020.