ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and other respondents after taking up a petition challenging the alleged unlicensed fuel operations of Aramco in the federal capital.
Justice Azam Khan heard the petition filed by Muhammad Shafiq Mir, the operator of PSO’s Al-Waheed Filling Station on Srinagar Highway.
Advocate Kashif Ali Malik appeared on behalf of the petitioner. The petitioner contended that Aramco Asia Singapore Private Limited had been allowed to run fuel outlets in Islamabad despite having no corporate registration or legal status in Pakistan.
According to the petition, Aramco is allegedly operating fuel stations by using an explosives licence issued in the name of Gas & Oil Pakistan Limited (GO) and an NOC issued to Askar Oil—permissions that, the petitioner argued, are non-transferable under law and can only be utilised by the companies to whom they were originally granted.
The plea accused Ogra, the Directorate General of Explosives, the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and the District Magistrate Islamabad of failing to act against Aramco’s purportedly unauthorised operations, which, the petitioner said, were distorting the petroleum market and causing financial losses to compliant operators.
After issuing notices to all respondents, the court sought their replies and adjourned the matter till the next date of hearing.
