The National Assembly Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources on Thursday directed the Sui Northern gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) not to undertake any gas supply scheme due to scarcity of natural gas in the country.
The committee, which met here with Sardar Talib Hussain Naki in the Chair, was informed by the Ogra officials that there was no ban on the ongoing gas supply schemes across the country and SNGPL and SSGC could start work on these schemes. However, the committee directed Ogra to submit all relevant record regarding issuance of alleged illegal licenses of CNG stations within two weeks so that the committee could fix a responsibility on the officials, who had violated the ban.
The meeting was attended by Chaudhary Barjees Tahir, Muhammad Usman Advocate, Asghar Ali Jatt, Nawab Muhammad Yousuf Talpur, Jamshaid Ahmed Dasti, Rana Afzal Hussain and Nazar Muhammad Gondal. The committee was briefed by Ogra officials on different ongoing gas supply schemes.
The Authority came under fire in the meeting of the committee, which is investigating alleged malpractices in granting 500 licenses for new CNG stations. Acting Chairman Ogra Mansoor Muzaffar Ali was asked to explain why new connections were being granted despite government restriction on such connections amid a massive gas shortage in the country.
Muzaffar Ali attended the hearing in place of Tauqeer Sadiq, who was forced to go on leave for three months after he was allegedly found involved in granting new connections to CNG stations, as well as illegal transfers. Tauqeer had allegedly delegated the power of granting such licenses to Ogra's Member Finance, away from the Member Gas, in a bid to grant permission for illegal transfer of CNG stations sites. He is now facing an inquiry.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Ministry has also asked the cabinet division to conduct an inquiry into alleged illegal actions of the Ogra officials, who had granted licenses and transfers to CNG stations despite a ban. The ministry's move came after the parliamentary committee took up the issue in its last meeting.
In what appears to be a case of passing responsibility, the ministry has also asked the cabinet division if it has taken any action against Ogra officials. Many of the licenses were allegedly granted to people with political connections, which made it more difficult for the ministry to take action.
MNA Jamshaid Dasti said that there were several allegations against Tauqeer Sadiq. He also pointed out that many cases were registered against Mansoor Mirza, Member Gas/Vice Chairman Ogra. He requested the committee to discuss all the charges against the Ogra officials, especially against Tauqeer Sadiq.
Addition Secretary Cabinet Division, while briefing the committee on the charges/allegations against present Ogra Chairman, said that the Federal Public Commission was conducting an inquiry against him. To a question he said that the cabinet division had also sent a summary to the Prime Minister to extend the duration of Sadiq's forced leave.
According to sources, Tauqeer Sadiq had alleged that an inquiry was initiated against him and he was sent on forced leave after he refused to obey orders of Cabinet Division Secretary Nargis Sethi to grant powers of CNG/LPG license to one Mansoor Muzaffar Ali, Ogra (gas) Member, now Acting Chairman.