The Supreme Court of Pakistan has sought reply from the federation and provinces on implementation of its orders on payment of royalty to the districts enriched with gas and oil resources.
A three-member SC bench led by Justice Jawwad S Khawaja gave these orders Wednesday during the course of hearing of petitions filed by different petitioners including Abdul Hakim Khoso on non-payment of royalty amounting to Rs 600 billion in respect of 39 gas and oil wells in Sanghar.
The court has also directed the attorney general (AG) and all the four law officers to assist the court in determining the legal standing of the case if the federation and provincial governments do not implement court’s orders.
During the hearing, Justice Khawaja remarked, “The money is in our pockets and we are wandering all over the place with a begging bowl in our hands. What type of democracy is this which is failing to benefit the masses? I implore the federal and provincial government in the name of Allah to please address people’s problems. On one side, royalty amount stands at Rs 600 billion and on the other side, the cycle of poverty and hunger which started from Tharparker has extended to Cholistan.”
“Clean drinking water and wheat is not available for the people while the roads are in a dilapidated condition. It is not the domain of courts to interfere in such matters. However, we want that hard earned money is spent on the people. No one is realizing it.”
Moreover, Justice Khawaja expressed concern over absence of Punjab and Balochistan advocates general. On one occasion he was going to issue a show cause notice to both the officers, however he directed them to appear in person.
