ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi has issued notice to an Austrian company, OMV Maurice Energy Limited, in a contempt of court petition for defying court’s stay orders.
According to the petitioner’s counsel, Jawad Hassan Advocate, the IHC Chief Justice has directed the Registrar office to fix the next hearing of this matter in the first week of May for further proceedings.
The court issued notices to the management of OMV Maurice Energy Limited (OMV) in a contempt petition filed by the Ocean Pakistan Limited (OPL) and Zaver Petroleum Corporation Limited (ZPCL) through their counsels Jawad Hassan Advocate and Umair Saleemm Advocate.
Jawad Hassan Advocate said that he had argued that contempt petition is arising out of the order dated 30 December 2013 of the chief justice of Islamabad High Court, wherein the management of OMV is accused of their illegal steps which are not only contrary to the dispensation of justice and the process of the court, but also constitute gross contempt of court with a deliberate attempt to undermine its dignity and authority.
He further contended that despite the restraining order dated 30 December 2013, OMV is threatening OPL and ZPCL, and it has intentionally stopped the lifting of/producing what would be OPL and ZPCL’s share of condensate and natural gas from 1st April 2014, which is not only in violation of their contractual obligations but also is against the decision given by the Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court.
It is worth mentioning that OPL and ZPCL are engaged in exploration and production of petroleum products under various concessions agreement with the government of Pakistan.