Supreme Court has directed the Ministry of Industry and Production to fix oxygen cylinder prices within two days.
In particular, the Supreme Court issued instructions on the petition filed by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. The court also asked the ministry to explain the pricing mechanism.
During the discussion, the KP attorney general stated that suppliers charge excessive fees for oxygen cylinders if official prices are not available.
Likewise, another attorney general told the judiciary that the oxygen power plant in Pakistan’s steel mills is nearly 40 years old. He added that the operation of the power plant will cost one billion rupees. He informed the court that a detailed report on the state of oxygen would be presented.
Meanwhile, a lawyer from Drug Regulatory Authority told the court that Ministry of Industries and Production was supplying the medical oxygen and that the Drug Regulatory Agency had nothing to do with it. He said that they cannot give instructions because sale of oxygen doesn’t not come under their jurisdiction.
To recall, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had said that Pakistani Steel Mills (PSM) oxygen plant could be operational within three months for a billion rupees.
Murad said the Sindh government is willing to spend a billion rupees to operate an oxygen power plant for a steel plant because the country, especially Sindh province, will need oxygen supplies if the number of coronavirus cases increases.
Chief Minister said the improved oxygen supply will help the provincial government to provide adequate treatment for critical patients.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Health Dr. Faisal Sultan said the country’s oxygen production capacity is improving to support the healthcare system and fight the growing number of Covid-19 infections.
He said the Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) oxygen plant will be re-activated to supply the country’s oxygen demand.
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