Writ petition: PHC stays proposed hike in gas prices

Court also seeks replies from OGRA

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court restrained the federal government from implementing the proposed 69 per cent hike in gas prices on Friday. The court has also sought replies from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority.

A division bench headed by Justice Waqar Ahmad Seth issued the restraining order while hearing a writ petition filed by different textile mills and industrial companies. The petitioners through their counsel Shumail Ahmad Butt informed the bench that Ogra has proposed hike in prices for commercial entities.

He argued that the proposal was illegal as the industrial sector was already being affected by the energy crisis. He argued that the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Gas Limited (SNGPL) has already requested to reduce gas prices by 22 per cent but instead of paying heed to SNGPL’s request Ogra has decided to increase the prices.

The counsel argued that owners of CNG stations have started selling LPG all across Punjab, which he maintained was much more expensive. He maintained that this hike in price would break the backbone of the industrial sector.

The bench after hearing the arguments issued a stay order against the proposed hike and sought replies from the authorities concerned.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 24^th, 2016.