OMCs petitions against probe body disposed of.

Byline: Malik Asad

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday disposed of the petitions of oil marketing companies challenging the inquiry proceedings into fuel shortage, but reminded the government not to exceed its lawful mandate.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah disposed of the petitions of Attock Oil Company and M/s Zoom (Private) Limited, with the observation that it is within the exclusive domain of the executive authorities to identify the factors and persons responsible for the crisis.

According to the petitions, the oil marketing companies were aggrieved on account of the proceedings of the committee constituted by the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) vide notification dated June 8, 2020. The petitioners argued that the power division was not competent to issue the notification; therefore, the proceedings were without lawful authority and jurisdiction.

The committee was constituted to probe fuel shortage following the announcement of reduction in prices.

Additional Attorney General Tariq Mehmood Khokhar told the IHC that the committee was constituted to inquire and probe into the factors that had led to fuel shortages, particularly whether hoarding or black marketing had contributed thereto.

IHC reminds federal govt not to exceed its lawful mandate in fuel crisis inquiry

The committee was also mandated to verify the stocks of the marketing companies, he said. The committee was, therefore, given a specific task that essentially involved collation of facts and on the basis thereof to identify the reasons which had led to the crisis of fuel shortages and persons/entities who may have been responsible in this regard.

The counsel for the petitioners earlier argued that the activities of the petitioner companies were regulated under the statute The Pakistan Oil (Refining, Transportation, Storage and Marketing) Rules, 2016. The counsel maintained that the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) was not competent to issue notification, therefore, the proceedings were without lawful authority and jurisdiction.

The court noted that it was an admitted position that after an announcement was made regarding reduction of prices there was a sudden acute shortage of fuel/petroleum products throughout the country and which persisted in some parts till date.

The consumers, particularly the general public, had been severely affected and their constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights had been prejudiced. There was also no cavil to the...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT