KARACHI – The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP), Justice Mian Saqib Nisar has expressed displeasure over price hike in petroleum products.
During the hearing of the case of price hike of petroleum products and taxes at Supreme Court Karachi registry on Friday, Chief Justice remarked that prices were raised every couple of months causing huge problems for people.
The Chief Justice also expressed dissatisfaction over the PSO report and ordered to verified these by the experts.
Justice Mian Saqib Nisar also expressed displeasure over the difference in the ratio of dealers’ commission.
The Chief Justice inquired about the procedure to minimize the petroleum prices.
The secretary finance told that government has not augmented the prices as the interim government has been burdened by the decision of previous ruling party.
He maintained that the prices can be amplified further to lessen the loss.
“It means that the citizens will be punished more. The court is not satisfied with the process of prices and taxes,” remarked the CJP. “The petroleum prices in Pakistan are still the lowest in the region,” replied the secretary.
“I have heard this argument several times that the prices are less than India. Review the price of dollar also in the neighbouring country,” said the CJP.
Chief Justice Nisar, also expressing his annoyance at the failure of chairman of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to appear before the court, questioned who was responsible for making the pricing policies.
MD PSO told the court that the policies are made by OGRA.
OGRA officials in presence, however, contended that the impression that the body was responsible for the policies was wrong.
The pricing mechanism for petroleum products is devised by the government, OGRA officials informed the bench.
To this, Chief Justice Nisar remarked that every institution appeared keen to pile blame on the other. He also appeared irked by the differences in commission rates set by dealers.
It looks as if this is all a monopoly by dealers and their institutions, the CJP observed.
The court while adjourning the hearing till July 5 directed to submit a comprehensive reply from the concerned institutions.
