ISLAMABAD, Oct 28 (DNA):The Federal Constitutional Court of Pakistan (FCCP) on Wednesday adjourned the hearing of a case concerning excessive gas bills in Balochistan until November 17 and directed lawyers to submit affidavits clarifying whether an order issued by the Balochistan High Court (BHC) had been passed with the consent of the parties.
The court also sought the BHC’s order sheet in the case.
A three-member bench headed by Justice Aamer Farooq heard the matter. During the proceedings, Justice Farooq questioned the authority under which the high court had constituted a committee to determine the gas tariff, observing that the power to determine tariffs rested with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
He asked under which law a court could issue directions on tariff determination.
Counsel for the petitioner argued that the high court had assumed the role of a regulator, exceeded its jurisdiction and determined the tariff itself.
However, Advocate Naseebullah Achakzai contended that the high court had not determined the tariff but had constituted a committee during the hearing, with the parties agreeing to the process of tariff determination.
Justice Farooq observed that the original petition before the high court concerned meter readings, but the proceedings had taken a different direction. He added that the relevant judicial order had already been suspended.
The court directed the lawyers to submit affidavits clarifying whether the high court’s order had been issued with the consent of the parties and summoned the BHC’s order sheet.
It may be recalled that two lawyers had approached the Balochistan High Court against excessive gas bills in the province.
