LHC Suspends Notification For Placing Regulatory Bodies Under

Faizan Hashmi Published February 21, 2017 | 05:26 PM

LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Feb, 2017 ) : Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Tuesday suspended a notification for placing five regulatory bodies under the control of their respective ministries.

The chief justice passed the order while hearing petitions, filed by Ali Imran and others against the step of placing regulatory bodies under the control of their respective ministries. During the hearing, petitioner's counsel Shiraz Zaka 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.

He submitted that the step was taken without approval of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) and the cabinet.

He contended that it was a violation of Article 154 of the Constitution and dictum, laid down by the Supreme Court.

Shiraz further argued that neither the Federal government nor the prime minister can place the autonomous bodies under the control of respective ministries, as per principle of justice and fair play.

He pleaded with the court to set aside the step being illegal. However, a deputy attorney general opposed the contentions and submitted that the prime minister had powers for allocating business from one ministry to another and no CCI approval was required in this regard.

He pointed out that the cabinet had already accorded approval in this regard. At this, the chief justice suspended the notification and summoned attorney general of Pakistan for assistance, while adjourning the hearing for a month. APP/syh/rsd/rn � 17:08/17:16/17:16