In the latest twist to the ongoing controversy, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has rejected the inquiry report on the petrol crisis and decided to take a tough stance in its defence, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday.

This anger is a result of the inquiry’s findings which declared that the OGRA was the main character in the entire episode, resulting in a huge loss to the national exchequer and a burden on consumers.

It was said at an OGRA meeting that the allegations were totally unfounded and against the facts, as the participants noted that they could not remain silent in the given situation.

The fine imposed on oil marketing companies was according to the limits set under the relevant rules and regulations, they emphasised.

As the meeting decided to give a hard line and give a detailed response to the inquiry report, it is expected that the official reply would be issued next week.  

Earlier, a 15-member inquiry commission had suggested the dissolution of OGRA, departmental proceedings against the top hierarchy of the Petroleum Division, a halt to the operations of refinery and oil marketing company Byco.

The 163-page report also estimated over Rs250 billion worth of oil smuggling from Iran and noted that a wide range of operations in the oil sector were against law and rules, operating in a vacuum and without any check and balance.

It also blasted the Petroleum Division for its division to impose a ban on petrol import in March this year, but noted that “much of the mess that abounds in the oil industry pertains to Ogra and the related laws/rules”.