ISLAMABAD, Oct 4: The Supreme Court on Tuesday reserved its ruling on a petition challenging the eligibility of Tauqeer Sadiq for appointment as chairman of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).

Mr Sadiq, the former Ogra chief, is on forced leave since Aug 25.

The petition on which the SC bench – comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Jawad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain – reserved its judgment was filed by Mohammad Yasin.

Deputy Attorney General Dil Mohammad Alizai informed the court that the government had already initiated an inquiry into at least 10 allegations against Mr Sadiq.

He said the inquiry would be impartial. The competent authorities had referred the inquiry to the Federal Public Service Commission immediately after certain facts had surfaced, the DAG said, adding the official had been sent on forced leave.

Justice Khawaja asked the DAG to record his statement before the court that the government was helpless in taking action against the former Ogra chief. He said the court had been hearing about the action against the official for five months.

He said a summary moved in January had rejected the name of Mr Sadiq and sought a fresh panel of candidates for the post but his name had been included in the new summary.

The DAG sought time to seek fresh instructions from the competent authority, but the court went on to close the proceedings and reserved its decision.