Petroleum price hike challenged in LHC, SHC

• LHC has been moved against increase in price of petroleum
• A similar plea has been filed in SHC against fuel hike
• The courts have been urged to restore the previous prices

A plea has been filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the government’s decision to increase the price of petroleum products, Bol News reported.

The government increased the price of petrol and high-speed diesel by a staggering Rs35 per litre. The announcement came amid reports of a severe fuel shortage across the country. The court has now been moved against the increase in prices of petroleum products.

Chairman of Judicial Activism Panel Advocate Azhar Siddique filed the application challenging the decision. The Federal Government, Ministry of Petroleum and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) have been respondents in the petition

The petition said the prices of petroleum products have fallen drastically in the global market, but have instead been increased in Pakistan.

The petitioner maintained that inflation has become unbearable due to not reducing the prices in the country. It said that the increase in the prices of petroleum products is exploitative and against the constitution.

The petitioner urged the court to nullify the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products. He said the court should issue orders to reduce the prices of petroleum products in proportion to the global market.

A similar petition has been mentioned in the Sindh High Court challenging the increase in prices of petroleum products.

The application has been filed on behalf of a citizen Maulvi Iqbal Haider. Secretary Finance, Secretary Petroleum, OGRA and others have been made parties in the petition.

The petition said the finance ministry increased the prices of petrol and diesel by Rs35 per litre, while the prices of light diesel and kerosene have been reduced by Rs18 per litre.

The petitioner said the court should take notice of the burden on the people who are already being crushed by the surging inflation.

The petitioner said assemblies of two provinces have been dissolved while the resignations of 33 members of the National Assembly have been accepted.

He said a historic increase has been made in the prices of petroleum products to fulfilling the agenda of the IMF.

The petitioner pleaded that the parliament should give approval regarding the increase in prices of petroleum products. He urged the court to restore the previous prices.

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