An inquiry commission report on investigation on petroleum crisis was presented in Lahore High Court on Monday. Additional Director General of Federal Investigation Agency Abubakar Khudabakhsh, Chairman of the commission, presented the sealed report before Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan during the hearing of petitions seeking action against the responsible for the petrol crisis.
According to the points mentioned in the report, the commission revealed that the Ministry of Energy was not having complete record regarding the petroleum situation in the country. It further recommended immediate dissolving of OGRA and providing time of 30 days for changes in the petrol prices. Khuda Baksh told the court that concerned authorities didn’t take advantage of decreasing petroleum prices in international market.
7 companies got profit of Rs 2 billion in first four days due to the increase in petrol prices, he stated. In his remarks, Chief Justice of Lahore High Court Mr Qasim Khan said that the report should be automatically made public as per the law.
Details of the inquiry report further revealed that the petroleum division’s subsidiary departments were found guilty for crisis as they didn’t carry out scrutiny of companies’ reserves. The petrol supply was deliberately halted to the pumps while an artificial crisis was created. Veterinary doctor Shafi Afridi was made director general of the petroleum ministry, the report revealed. It stated that the main reason behind petrol crisis was lack of proper communication mechanism between division and its subsidiary departments. According to report, Byco company head Amir Abbasi is wanted by the NAB for a corruption of Rs 23 billion, but he struck a plea bargain of Rs one billion to secure his release.
The findings of the commission have been forwarded to Prime Minister Imran Khan for discussion in the Federal Cabinet meeting on 15th December.
The recap:
- On 31st May petrol prices were reduced by another 7 rupees after a Rs 15 per liter reduction towards the end of April: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2020/05/petrol-price-reduced-by-rs-7/
- Fuel immediately got vanished from the pumps & OGRA took notice: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2020/06/ogra-takes-notice-fuel-shortage/
- Government accused Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for creating artificial fuel shortage & illegitimate profiteering: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2020/06/government-accuses-omcs-fuel-shortage/
- Government blamed mafias for creating a crisis: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2020/06/government-blame-mafias-crisis/
- On June 12th OGRA penalized 6 OMCs for creating fuel shortages: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2020/06/ogra-penalizes-6-omcs-petrol-shortage/
- The blame game continued with OCAC (Oil Companies Advisory Council) raising fingers towards bureaucracy for fuel shortage: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2020/06/ocac-blames-bureaucracy-fuel-shortage/
- On June 19th the government said it would take action against 9 OMCs: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2020/06/government-take-action-against-9-omcs/
- Later on June 28th the petrol became magically available after the prices were increased: https://www.carspiritpk.com/2020/06/petrol-magically-available-price-hike/
A computer animation professional with over 23 years of industry experience having served in leading organizations, TV channels & production facilities in Pakistan. An avid car enthusiast and petrolhead with an affection to deliver quality content to help shape opinions. Formerly written for PakWheels as well as major publications including Dawn. Founder of CarSpiritPK.com
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