LAHORE - The Lahore High Court on Monday stayed recovery of industrial gas tariff from consumers on a petition challenging increase in gas tariff.
The court issued notice to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.
Justice Ayesha A. Malik of the LHC issued the orders on a petition moved by Allah Wasaya challenging the recent increase in gas tariff. The petitioner said the federal government was not consulted before increasing the tax.
He pointed out that Ogra under the law was bound to consult the federal government on any such decision but it was not done. Thus, the increase in tariff has lost its legitimacy and required to be set aside, he submitted. He asked the court to declare the new increase in tariff as null and void.
After hearing initial arguments, Justice Malik stayed collection of the tax and issued notice to Ogra and others.
USE OF MODERN MACHINERY
The LHC on Monday extended stay on a no-objection certificate seeking permission for modern machinery’s use for sand digging from rivers. A local citizen had moved the petition that Sialkot’s local administration barred him from using modern technology for digging rivers to collect sand.
He said there was no negative impact of modern technology on environment. He pleaded the court to allow him to use the technology and machinery for sand digging from the rivers. After hearing arguments of the petitioner’s counsel, Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah directed the DPO and DCO of Sialkot district to appear in the court to submit their replies and adjourned the hearing until Jan 11.
BZU STUDENTS
Lahore High Court Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah on Monday constituted a full bench to take up the matter of students of Bahauddin Zakariya University (BZU) Lahore campus seeking recognition of their degrees.
The bench consisting of Justice Amin-ud-Din Khan, Justice Muhammad Ameer Bhatti and Justice Malik Shahzad Ahmad Khan would start hearing on Tuesday (today).
The students had challenged decision of the Higher Education Commission in which their degrees were declared illegal and the campus was closed for them. They questioned their non-enrollment at the disputed sub-campus, varsity’s Lahore sub-campus.
They said that their future was at stake due to closure of Lahore campus and no one was hearing their grievances. The students said that they had paid huge fee to the varsity and attended classes but despite all that they had been rejected and their degrees had been declared illegal. They asked the court to set aside the HEC’s decision.