ISLAMABAD - Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry on Tuesday questioned why the government failed to utilise Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to optimum level and signed contracts for Rental Power Projects (RPPs) knowing that there would be gas shortage in the country. A two-member bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain was hearing identical petitions filed by Federal Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat and PML-N MNA Khawaja Asif alleging corruption in the RPPs contract. During the course of hearing, counsel for Pakistan Electric Power Company Limited (PEPCO) Khawaja Tariq Rahim contended that RPPs accords were signed due to growing demand of electricity in the country, adding, that water shortage and more electricity demand was major reason of loadshedding. On the occasion, Khawaja Tariq Rahim presented a report before the bench relating to RPPs approval saying all the projects contracts were granted according to rules and regulations and transparency was observed. Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said in his remarks that the report was based on assumptions, adding, that it has been expressed in the report that loadshedding would be over in case 14 RPPs and IPPs generate power jointly, whereas eventually power shortage was still existing. He further observed that RPPs report was not sent to the Cabinet for approval. He said power tariffs were skyrocketed in the pretext of fuel adjustment. 'Why accords were signed when there is not gas in the country?, the CJP asked. The CJ stated that except Gulf Power Plant no RPP was generating electricity or paying taxes, adding, that Asian Development Bank (ADB) report on RPPs was a charge-sheet against the government, which had adequately pointed out flaws and inefficiencies of the plants. Rahim rejected petitioners point of view that RPPs was not required to address the loadshedding saying it was wrong impression that RPPs will not fulfil the gap between power demand and supply ,adding, that approval of the projects was given by the competent authority. The bench adjourned hearing till Wednesday (today).