Issuance of CNG licences during 10 years: Ogra told to provide details

The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought detailed report from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) pertaining to the record of issuance of compressed natural gas (CNG) licences during last ten years. A three-member bench comprising Justice Mian Shakirullah Jan, Justice Jawad S Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing an application filed by Muhammad Yasin against the eligibility of Tauqeer Sadiq, dysfunctional Chairman of Ogra.
Justice Jawad S Khawaja observed that social evils like nepotism and corruption are main reason of growing remedy seekers from the courts. Submitting detailed bio-data of - dysfunctional Ogra Chairman Tauqeer Sadiq, counsel for petitioner, Abdur Rauf, apprised the bench that during 2009 Sadiq was appointed as Chairman of Ogra without observing the criteria mentioned for the post including 20 years of relevant work experience.
He said that before taking charge as Ogra Chairman, Sadiq was associated with the Authority as Law Officer and was not eligible to meet the basic criteria mentioned for the post of Ogra Chairman. Rauf added that in violation of merit, Sadiq was given the high profile post in the Ogra. "It''s a serious matter and if even a devil files an application in the court, it will be taken up", Justice Jawad S Khawaja said in his remarks, adding that an advocate was banned in the SC but his petitions were taken up.
Rauf said that Tauqeer Sadiq presented LLM degree for the post of Ogra chairman as basic qualification which, he added, was not recognised by any institution of Pakistan. The bench directed Ogra to submit comparative statement relating to issuance of CNG licences before appointing Tauqeer Sadiq as Chairman, and during his tenure as Chairman, on next date of hearing. The court adjourned the hearing to October 3.