Ogra delaying important decisions : PEW

Lahore: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) on Wednesday said the top officials of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) have been avoiding important decisions since long pushing the critical energy sector to uncertainty.

The oil and gas sector regulator could not take a single important decision during last one and a half years due to lack of quorum.

As per the law, Ogra needs consent of at least three members to reach a decision which could not be materialised pushing the gas utilities, foreign and local investors, LPG and CNG sector in abject uncertainty, he added.

Murtaza Mughal said that the Supreme Court relieved member finance of Ogra a year back but he has not relinquished charge; he has not attended office since the decision but continue to get salary which is not only amazing but also violation of the court’s decision.

The member finance has not been replaced while the tenure of vice chairman and member oil of Ogra will complete in first week of next month. No decision has been taken to replace him.

Ogra takes critical decisions in December and June but this time the chairman has proceeded on a 20-day leave. He will come back when the vacancy of member oil would be vacant providing an excuse to delay important decisions.

Policy of the hydrocarbon regulator has a very negative impact on the energy sector and investors, said Dr. Mughal.