LHC Orders To Consolidate Pleas Regarding Regulatory Bodies

LAHORE, Jan 4 (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 04th Jan, 2017 ) : Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah, Wednesday directed LHC Registrar's Office to consolidate petitions against placing five regulatory bodies under the control of their respective ministries.

The chief justice passed these orders while hearing a petition filed by one Ali Irfan. The chief justice also sought further arguments on maintainability of the petition besides directing a deputy attorney general to seek instructions whether the step was taken with approval of the cabinet or not.

During the hearing, petitioner's counsel Shiraz Zaka arguing before the court submitted that the prime minister had placed National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), Frequency Allocation board (FAB, and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) under the control of the ministries concerned.

The deputy attorney general opposing the petition submitted that the prime minister had powers for allocation of business from one ministry to another and no approval of Council of Common Interest was required in this regard.

The court was also informed that identical petitions were also pending in the LHC. At this, the chief justice ordered to consolidate all petitions and fix for hearing on January 10.