OGRA chairman responsible for petroleum crisis: LHC

LAHORE: Lahore High Court on Wednesday expressed immense disappointment over the performance of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) chairman.

While hearing a case related to petroleum shortage, Chief Justice Lahore High Court (LHC) Muhammad Qasim Khan remarked that the OGRA chairman should step down from his post if he is unable to handle his responsibilities.

The Chief Justice LHC showed his displeasure as the OGRA chairman did not appear before the court despite being summoned during the last hearing.

The judge remarked that OGRA is responsible for the petroleum shortage in the country but seemed to be unable unaware about the decisions of the federal cabinet. He said the issue cannot be resolved if no one is held accountable for the crisis.

Last week, Prime Minister Imran Khan had directed to take punitive action against those responsible for the artificial shortage of fuel across the country.

While presiding over an emergency meeting on the petrol crisis, the prime minister ordered to take strict action against the oil companies and dealers involved in hoarding and create shortages.

Federal Minister for Energy Omar Ayub Khan and Special Assistant to the PM on Petroleum Nadeem Babar briefed the cabinet over the petrol crisis. Omar Ayub vowed to take action against what he termed was a ‘mafia’ involved in price manipulation.