LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Thursday hearing a petition against shortage of petrol in the country during last month decided to constitute a high-level commission.

The Chief Justice adjourned hearing till July 16 and directed the attorney general to present names for the members of the commission.

The CJ also directed Advocate Awais Khalid, amicus curie, to assist the court on terms of references of the commission.

Earlier, the CJ observed that apparently the oil 'mafia' created shortage of petrol for monetary gains and the government's decision to increase petrol prices before the scheduled time appeared to have been made to benefit the oil marketing companies.

"It was sheer bad governance," lamented the CJ and added the crisis could not be controlled unless people responsible for it were taken to task.

The CJ further observed, "Prima facie all the authorities concerned are suspects in the petrol crisis." He also warned the Ogra chairperson not to try to protect the real culprits.

Principal Secretary to prime minister Azam Khan, Attorney General of Pakistan Khalid Javed Khan, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) chairman Uzma Adil and other federal and provincial officials were present in the court as the chief justice resumed hearing of the case.

Earlier, the Chief Justice Khan asked Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) whether he discussed the suggestion of a commission on the matter with the National Assembly's speaker as desired by the court on last hearing.

The AGP said he personally met the NA speaker and conveyed him the court's suggestion. He said the speaker resolved to present the suggestion before the Prime Minister and the leader of opposition.

The Chief Justice reminded the attorney general that the court had asked him to come up with a clear policy of the government.

The CJ also called the prime minister's principal secretary to the rostrum and observed that the reply submitted by him was nothing more than gimmickry of words.

AGP suggested the court to constitute a commission to hold an investigation into the crisis, which the chief justice admitted and asked him to present names for it.

CJ observed that the court will nominate members to the commission if the nominees of the attorney general were not found suitable. The chief justice warned the government officials of strict action if anyone found involved in concealing or tampering with the official record.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020