The Supreme Court Monday issued notices to 52 respondents including Director General of Petroleum Concessions, Chief Secretary Sindh, Secretary, Director General of the Energy Department Sindh, 12 Oil and Gas Development Company high officials, 18 District Co-ordination Officers of Sindh government and 18 Oil/Gas Exploration and Production (E&P) companies over alleged failure of performing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in their respective operational areas of the province.
President Tehsil Bar Association, Tando Adam, Abdul Hakeem Khoso and others had filed identical pleas saying the E&P companies of District Sanghar were causing environmental pollution in the vicinity instead of providing infrastructure, jobs and gas facilities to the local population.
On December 27,2013, announcing its verdict in response to such petitions, the Supreme Court had issued directives to the federal, provincial and local governments to ensure that substantial funds were made available in respect of production bonuses and marine research fees.
The governments were directed to prepare a comprehensive account of the funds under the heads of social welfare obligation and royalties due to the districts where the companies were exploring oil or gas. The court had also asked the federal government to submit details of funds, received from oil/gas E&P companies for social and infrastructure development of the local communities. Recently, Roshan Ali Lakhan of Sindh had filed a contempt plea against respondents alleging the concerned were not implementing the court directives in letter and spirit.
The petitioner made Director General of Petroleum Concessions, Chief Secretary Sindh, Secretary, Director General of the Energy Department Sindh, 12 Oil and Gas Development Company high officials, 18 District Co-ordination Officers of Sindh government and 18 Oil/Gas Exploration and Production (E&P) companies as respondents in the contempt plea.
Taking up the contempt plea, a three-judge bench led by the Chief Justice Anwar Zaheer Jamali expressed dismay over presence of some government officials in the matter saying as to why they were spending from national kitty to attend the court particularly when the court has not summoned any of them. Later, admitting the plea for preliminary hearing, the bench asked the respondents to file written reply in the matter and adjourned the hearing of the case for indefinite period.