The Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court, Sheikh Azmat Saeed Tuesday sought a reply from the federal government and petroleum ministry within 10 days on a petition challenging the recent increase in petroleum products.
The court passed the order on a petition filed by a public interest litigation firm, Muhammad and Ahmed, through the counsel Muhammad Azhar Siddique. The government of Pakistan through secretary petroleum, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and Federal Board of Revenue have been made respondents in the petition. He requested the court that the petitioner be directed to be supplied with audited accounts of all respondents connected with the production and supply of petroleum products, specifying details of each category along with complete profit and loss accounts through certified audited accounts. He further requested the court to stay the increase in the price of petroleum products.
He also alleged that the government was deliberately shifting the burden to the common man without informing people how much petroleum it was purchasing from other countries and the extent of taxes that are being paid on it. He stated that the court should also take notice of the fact that petroleum prices have fallen in the international market, while those in the country have increased. The CJ after hearing arguments sought a reply from government within ten days and adjourned the matter till February 17.
Judges appointment: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed Tuesday directed the Federal Law Secretary to submit a reply within three weeks on a petition seeking directions to appoint judges in four provincial courts or tribunals.
The petition filed by Noshab A Khan said the Environment Tribunal Punjab had become ineffective after the retirement of its chairman on July 1, 2011, whereas 1030 cases were pending in it. He submitted that the Customs, Taxation and Anti-Smuggling Court Punjab had also become ineffective for two months and 250 cases were pending in it. The CJ after hearing the arguments issued a notice and sought reply from the federal law secretary.
Reinstatement: A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) Tuesday ordered to reinstate an ex-civil judge into service after setting aside his removal order. The 3-member bench comprising Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Sheikh Ahmad Farooq passed the order on a petition filed by a ex-Civil Judge/ Judicial Magistrate Saeed Ahmad Awan.
