The Islamabad High Court on Tuesday issued notices to Federation through Cabinet Division, Secretary Establishment, Director General (DG) oil Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Federal Public Service Commission and acting chairman Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) in response to a writ petition filed by chairman OGRA Saeed Ahmed Khan.
A single-member bench headed by Justice Noor-ul-Haq N. Qureshi heard the petition filed by Saeed Ahmed Khan through his counsel Asma Jahangir, challenging the government's order under which Khan has been sent on a three-month forced leave on the pretext of petrol crisis in the country last month.
During the course of proceedings, the court issued notices to the above-mentioned respondents, directing them to submit their replies on the matter within a week.
Saeed Ahmed Khan's counsel pleaded before the bench that as per the Ogra Ordinance, the prime minister, through the cabinet secretary, can forward a reference to the FPSC on specific allegations of misconduct and send them on leave till completion of an inquiry by the FPSC as the chairman and members of regulatory bodies are protected under the law.
She added that under the Ogra Ordinance the chairman had a four-year job security unless found physically or mentally incapable or committing misconduct; therefore, he could not be sent on forced leave.
She prayed before the court to set aside federal government's order of sending his client on forced leave and till adjudication of the matter the forced leave orders may be suspended.
Meanwhile, Jahangir Khan Jadoon, representing the federal government, requested the court not to grant ex-parte stay without hearing the federal government's version.
Later, the IHC bench issued notices to all the respondents and adjourned the proceedings of case till next week.
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