LHC moved against petroleum price hike

LAHORE: Pakistan Justice Party has challenged the recent increase in petroleum prices before the Lahore High Court (LHC).



The petition filed by the party through its lawyer Advocate Azhar Siddique, has been clubbed with an already pending writ petition challenging powers of the government to revise prices and sales tax from monthly basis to 15 days without the authority of parliament.

Advocate Azhar contended the government was trying to hoodwink the nation and has not disclosed the true facts on petroleum prices.

The petitioner said the petroleum prices have decreased all over world but it was different in Pakistan. The petition further added it was an act of exploitation within the terms of Article 3 of the Constitution and the federal government has failed to protect the fundamental rights of citizens.



The petition further mentioned the government increased the sales tax on petrol from 17 per cent to 28.5 per cent although the sales tax could not be charged over and above 17 per cent.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 2^nd, 2017.