LAHORE High Court Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan on Thursday decided to constitute a Commission to investigate the petrol shortage that hit the country during the last month following a sharp decrease in prices. Resuming hearing of the case on the issue, the CJ observed that apparently the oil “mafia” created shortage of petrol for monetary gains and the government’s decision to increase petrol prices before the scheduled time appeared to have been made to benefit the oil marketing companies.
The Commission is being constituted at the instance of Attorney General of Pakistan (AGP) and the court has asked him to present names for the purpose. The CJ raised some of the very pertinent points that are agitating the minds of the people and the Commission should be mandated to come out with a comprehensive report covering all aspects of the scandal. One ought not to doubt intentions and sincerity of the AGP or the Government but on the face of it the proposition of inviting names of the Commission from the Government is fraught with serious repercussions for the entire issue and the outcome might be compromised. Here inability of the authorities concerned to move against those who created artificial shortage of petrol and decision of the Government to dramatically raise prices of POL products abruptly and without any valid arguments are the real issues requiring a totally impartial and transparent probe. The Chief Justice has desired that those responsible should be taken to task but this also depends on the nature and quality of the investigations.
