Oil theft: NA body issues arrest warrants for MDs of PSO, PARCO

National Assembly’s Legislative Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources issued arrest warrants of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and PARCO Managing Directors (MDs) for their alleged involvement in oil theft.
A meeting of the sub-committee was held on Wednesday with Jamshed Dasti in the chair to discuss the issue of oil theft worth billions of rupees from the combined pipelines of PSO and PARCO. Dasti expressed annoyance over the absence of the MDs of PSO and PARCO on the occasion.
He asked the Punjab Police Additional IG to put both of them behind bars in Mehmood Kot police station. He also directed the official to conduct a strict inquiry of the two officers. “How can it be that billion of rupees of oil had been stolen from the pipelines with both of the relevant departments unaware about it?” he questioned. “It is an important matter to consider why officials of these two organisations were involved in a scam of billions of rupees,” Dasti said. The NA body directed the Punjab Additional IG to give a report on the case in twenty days.
Dasti said Advisor to Prime Minister on Petroleum Asim Hussain was also involved in the issue as he had appointed ineligible persons at key departments of the ministry. “Dr Asim has hijacked the ministry and due to his incompetence, issues are emerging in the petroleum ministry. His subordinate, secretary petroleum, instead of performing his duties independently, is working as his personal secretary,” Dasti stated. Dr Asim lashed out at Dasti over his comments in a statement, calling him an illiterate holding a fake degree whose committee had no authority. On the occasion, officials of Special Branch said more than 950 million litres of oil had been stolen from the pipeline. Police officials apprised the legislative body that in eight cases more than 123,000 litres of oil was reportedly stolen in 2012 such that 64,000 litres of oil was stolen only in a single case.
The sub-committee also directed AIG Punjab to remove SHO of Siranwala Police Station, as he was not a fair man and allegations had been leveled against him. The body also directed DG Khan SP Investigation to ensure his presence in the next meeting of the committee and explain why he did not attend Wednesday’s meeting.
Dasti warned concerned officials and the petroleum ministry to hold an independent inquiry of this issue or else the committee would forward the case to the Supreme Court informing it that the relevant officers were not fulfilling their duties honestly. He said under current circumstances, credit must be given to Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary on working diligently and making all departments work efficiently. Secretary petroleum assured the body that he would personally look into the matter and will point out those responsible for certain offences and submit the report with the committee.