Back on duty: Ogra chief to resume office

A two-judge bench declare that federation has no authority to suspend Ogra chief until FPSC makes recommendation

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court dismissed on Monday the federation’s appeal challenging the March 17 decision of a single-bench judge to set aside the federal government’s decision to send the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) on a three- month forced leave during the recent petrol crisis.

While allowing Ogra Chairman Saeed Ahmed Khan to join his office, a two-judge bench comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Aamer Farooq declared that the federation has no authority to suspend the Ogra chief until FPSC makes any such recommendation.

The bench observed that the government can only send the Ogra chief on forced leave on the recommendations of the FPSC. Following the petroleum crises, the counsel for Ogra chairman, Babar Sattar,said that the government needed someone to hold accountable and the Ogra chairman appeared to be the appropriate person.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2015.