Fine on 72 sugar mills
ISLAMABAD
During the hearing of the petition against Competition Commission (CC) in the matter related to fine on 72 sugar mills, Supreme Court (SC) announced decision tribunal should give decision within 90 days after hearing the case. A 3-member bench of SC presided over by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi issued notices to the respondents after hearing the case. The hearing of the case was adjourned till next Thursday. Asma Hamid counsel for CC requested the court the words about hearing the case by CC be included in the order. The CJP said if only this request lies in your appeal then we issue order.
Justice Shakeel Ahmad said we will give decision after hearing all respondents.
4 members of CC heard the petitioner sugar mills. As a result chairman and one member imposed fine on sugar mills. The two members declared the show cause notice null and void and ordered for holding inquiry again. The powers to give decisive vote was given to chairman under clause 24 (5) of CC. The petitioners resorted to the respective tribunal. The tribunal ordered to hear the case again within 90 days and give decision.
Appeal plea was filed in SC against this decision.
CJP , Justice Aamir Farooq and justice Shakil Ahmad heard this case.
The SC maintained joining the semi judicial proceedings by the chairman CC and giving right for decisive vote again is tantamount to give double vote.
The SC made it clear clause 24 (5) can be used at administrative level only. Tribunal should hear the case within 90 days and give decision.
