Govt moves SC, seeks early hearing of GIDC case
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – The federal government has moved to the Supreme Court (SC) and sought early hearing of Gas Infrastructure Development Cess (GIDC) ordinance related cases on Friday.
According to the details garnered, the PTI-led government approached the top court through Attorney General for Pakistan (AGP) and sought immediate hearing of GIDC cases. On the directions of Prime Minister Imran Khan, AGP filed a petition at the top court’s registrar office.
The petition stated that the cases related to the GIDC are pending since 2017 while the delay is causing problems to retrieve revenue belonging to the federal government. The apex court has been pleaded to approve the petition for an immediate hearing regarding the GIDC-related cases.
It is pertinent to mention here that the prime minister had decided to withdraw the ordinance on September 4 in view of the recent controversy that allowed to waive off Rs210 billions of GIDC.
The move came when 92 News highlighted the matter of waiving off Rs208 billion as Imran Khan withdrew the Ordinance related to the amnesty in GIDC.
A statement released from the Prime Minister’s Office on Wednesday, the premier announced to withdraw GIDC ordinance. The statement stated that PM Khan made the move in the interest of transparency and good governance.
The PM has also directed the attorney general to move an application for urgent hearing in the Supreme Court (SC), so the matter is decided according to the law and constitution.
Earlier on August 30, the federal government, in a surprised move, has written off an amount of Rs208 billion liable to be paid by industrialists, fertilizer units, CNG stations and power plants under gas development surcharge.
A presidential ordinance has been issued at a time when the PTI government is much concerned about scarcity of capital to run the affairs of state.
The amount was meant for spending on Iran Pakistan Gas Pipeline, Turkmenistan-Afghanistan–Pakistan–India pipeline (TAPI) and energy projects.
The ordinance further announces that the government will reduce 50 per cent rate of gas surcharge for all companies.
According to new law, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Pipelines Limited (SSGPL), will make sure the forensic audit of all companies who receive gas infrastructure development surcharge.
Fatima Fertilizers, Pak Arab Fertilizers and Engro Fertilizers and other such companies have been facilitated with Rs69 billion write offs.
An amount of Rs.4.16 billion received from farmers and people under gas development surcharge in the last five years was not deposited in the national treasury.
The PML-N government completed projects of LNG Pipeline and its infrastructure with bank loans and diverted financial burden to the gas consumers.
Captive power plants owners were facilitated with Rs91 bn, CNG stations owners Rs80bn, fertilizers companies Rs69bn, electric and GENCOs Rs28 bn while IPPs were given Rs2.4 bn written off against their outstanding payments.
According to new law, the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) and Sui Southern Gas Pipelines Limited (SSGPL), will make sure the forensic audit of all companies who receive gas infrastructure development surcharge.
Fatima Fertilizers, Pak Arab Fertilizers and Engro Fertilizers and other such companies have been facilitated with Rs69 billion write offs.
An amount of Rs.4.16 billion received from farmers and people under gas development surcharge in the last five years was not deposited in the national treasury.
The PML-N government completed projects of LNG Pipeline and its infrastructure with bank loans and diverted financial burden to the gas consumers.
Captive power plants owners were facilitated with Rs91 bn, CNG stations owners Rs80bn, fertilizers companies Rs69bn, electric and GENCOs Rs28 bn while IPPs were given Rs2.4 bn written off against their outstanding payments.
