ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday issued notices to the Ministry of Petroleum, Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on a petition filed against the crackdown on oil marketing companies (OMCs) ordered by Prime Minister Imran Khan after reports of ongoing shortage of petroleum products across the country.

Last week, the federal cabinet took a serious notice of the artificial shortage of petroleum products across the country and Prime Minister Imran Khan directed the petroleum division and Ogra to ensure supply of petroleum products across the country within 48 to 72 hours.

The prime minister had also ordered authorities to take strict action against those responsible for creating the artificial shortage that had been causing serious problems to the masses.

Zoom Petroleum (Pvt) Limited, a subsidiary of the Mehar Group of Companies (Pvt) Limited, has filed the petition against the Fuel Crisis Committee and the ongoing crackdown on the OMCs allegedly responsible for the massive fuel shortage in the country.

Crackdown over ongoing shortage of petroleum products

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah heard the petition.

In the petition, the petitioner requested the court to set aside the Ministry of Petroleum’s June 8 and 9 notifications, announcing tough government action against all OMCs for creating artificial shortage of petroleum products in the country.

Zoom Petroleum (Pvt) Limited further requested the high court to stop the government from taking any action against the company until final adjudication of the case.

According to the petition, the inquiry committee had on June 12 summoned the chief executive officer of Zoom Petroleum (Pvt) Limited and charged him with hoarding and black marketing of petroleum products.

On June 9, the government initiated an inquiry against the OMCs allegedly involved in triggering the fuel crisis and constituted the Fuel Crisis Committee.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2020