LAHORE: The Lahore High Court was informed on Thursday that the Supreme Court had examined the purchase of Chinese locomotives through a suo motu case and allowed railways to proceed further in accordance with PPRA rules.
These submissions were made by Pakistan Railways counsel while submitting a reply in petition challenging purchase of 79 Chinese railway engines from a blacklisted company. The Single bench comprising Chief Justice Umar Ata Bandial was hearing the matter.
The counsel further told the court that investigations were in progress about allegations into scrap scandal. However, it had not been proved, he added.
The counsel pleaded the court that the present proceedings were unnecessary as the Supreme Court opinion on the issue had come. He pleaded the court to set aside the petition.
However, the court adjourned the matter till October 9 as the petitioner counsel was not present to record his submissions.
The court directed railways counsel to place on record material to substantiate his arguments.
The petition was filed by Feroze Shah Gillani advocate, submitting that railways adminstration signed a contract to purchase 79 engines from a blacklisted company.
The petitioner-advocate stated that public procurement authority (PPA) disapproved the proposed decision but it's recommendation were ignored by the railway authorities.
He said Pakistan Railways had made Rs 15 million down-payment to the blacklisted company which was an illegal step.
He prayed the court to take notice of locomotives purchase from a blacklisted company and directions be issued to restrain railway authorities from moving ahead with agreement.
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