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Supreme Court directs government to reduce POL prices within a week
 admin May 3, 2010, 05:51:45 AM 

ISALMABAD (May 14 2009): The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the government to reduce the price of petroleum products within one week. Taking cognisance of the present circumstances and financial position, a three-member bench of the apex court, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed and Justice Chaudhry Ijaz Ahmed also extended the time for the judicial commission to submit its report till June 15.

Attorney General Sardar Latif Khan Khosa assured the court that the prices of oil would be suitably reduced within a week after consultation with the Prime Minster. In addition, the court directed the government to submit the report to the office of Registrar regarding reduction in oil prices.

"Since the price of petroleum products after December 1, 2008 did not change, the reduction in prices was in the interest of the masses, particularly those who belong to middle and lower middle class as it has become difficult for them to meet their expenses with limited resources", the order added.

Petroleum Secretary Mahmood Saleem Mahmood and Finance Secretary Salman Saddique appeared before the court. Besides Attorney General Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, advocate Ikram Chaudry was also present. The Chief Justice asked Petroleum Secretary about his non-serious attitude towards the establishment of Judicial Commission and for pursuing the case in the court.

"The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has not shown any interest and has not engaged any counsel for its representation before the court," the Chief Justice observed. While asking the Attorney General about how much relief the government would deliver to the masses, the Chief Justice observed.

"It is none of our business (court), but when you purchase oil at low prices and sell at high prices, it is a cause of our concern." At first, the Attorney General requested the court to allow some time for making and announcing any such decision as Advisor to the Prime Minister on Petroleum and Natural Resources was out of the country.

Afterwards, Attorney General Sardar Latif Khosa appealed to the court to defer the matter and let the government announce a decrease in the price in the budget which, he said, was due on June 30. However, the Attorney General failed to convince the bench as he was directed to take the Prime Minister into confidence as chief executive of the country and reduce the price.

Justice Raja Fayyaz Ahmed observed that Pakistan was rich in natural gas, but the prices of natural gas had never been reduced and continued to move upward. Overcharging on petroleum products by the government was challenged through identical constitutional petitions of Pakistan People\'s Party Senator Rukhsana Zuberi, Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) Secretary General Zafar Iqbal Jhagra in 2005.

On March 30, 2009, Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry ordered the constitution of an independent commission, and observed that to resolve the controversy, an exercise had to be undertaken, starting from the date when Oil Companies Advisory Committee (OCAC) was authorised to fix prices of oil and gas, ie from June 29, 2001 to April 1, 2006 when its authority was given to Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra). On May 12, the Judicial Commission submitted an interim report before the court, and suggested reduction in the price of petroleum products. The court adjourned the case till June 15.
 

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