Lahore: As it was imminent, Government decision to put regulatory bodies under ministries control was always controversial and was even opposed by the opposition benches. But today, The Lahore High Court (LHC) has suspended the notification placing five autonomous regulatory bodies under the control of the various ministries.
The regulatory bodies – Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA), Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and Frequency Allocation Board – were put under the control of different ministries in December last year.
LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah suspended the notification on a petition filed by advocate Sheraz Zaka.
Zaka submitted that the regulatory bodies were put under the control of different ministries in violation of the rules since the approval of the Council of Common Interests (CCI) was necessary to make a policy decision.
The government’s counsel argued that it had the approval of the federal cabinet before making the decision. Zaka, however, rebutted by saying the cabinet had no authority to grant permission.
The hearing was later adjourned for six weeks.