ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: The standing committee of the National Assembly on petroleum and natural resources and has registered its reservations and constituted a sub-committee to investigate the irregularities in fixing oil prices.

The meeting of the committee, which was held on Wednesday at the Parliament House under the chairmanship of Noor Jehan Panezai, reviewed the rise and fall in the prices and performance of the Oil and Gas Development Company (OGDCL). The committee had sought the record of all recruitments made during the tenure of former Pakistan State Oil (PSO) chairman Tariq Kirmani.

Members of the standing committee said that oil prices had declined in the international market but the situation was different in Pakistan and benefits had not been given to consumers. They said that the World Bank had pointed out irregularities at high-level in fixing oil prices and demanded investigations.

The special sub-committee, led by Khawaja Sheeraz, would not only review the fluctuation in oil prices but also investigate irregularities in fixing oil prices and submit a report. The first meeting of special committee would be held on Dec 11.

Another committee was also constituted earlier which was led by Saima Akhtar Barwana, but it failed to present its report in a year.

The meeting was also briefed by OGDCL officials on the newly discovered oil and gas reservoirs.

The meeting was told that directions were made to investigate the mater regarding the mistreatment of former general manager of Sui Southern, Brig Agha Ahmed Gul, with MNA Manzoor Wasan.

The matter had been disposed of after the resignation of Brig Agha Ahmad Gul on Aug 22, the committee was informed.—Online