Sindh

‘Petroleum price hike should be termed illegal’

The petitioner, lawyer Abid Hussain, also asked the court to order the Ogra to take back the decision.

Express April 02, 2011

KARACHI:

In a second petition challenging the increase in petroleum prices, the Sindh High Court was asked to declare the price hike as illegal.

The petitioner, lawyer Abid Hussain, also asked the court to order the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to take back the decision. Hussain said that Ogra announces the increase in POL prices under a formula which is known only to itself. Ogra has no legal authority to determine POL prices on the basis of this formula and is bound under the Constitution to place it before parliament, he said.

In turn, parliament shall pass a bill into law,allowing Ogra to implement the formula for price determination. Unless this is done, the rise in prices announced every month is a great injustice to the people of Pakistan.

According to Hussain, every time prices are raised, they give rise to an increase in the prices of essential commodities,affecting everyone, even those who do not possess any vehicle.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 03^rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (2)

ayesha ali | 13 years ago | Reply OIL PRICES RAISE ONCE AGAIN Every month government increases the petroleum prices, which shoots up cost of production in a number of ways, as with the increase in its prices, cost of basic commodities rise as well. This unacceptable price hike in petroleum makes middle class people life more miserable and poor commits suicide. On the other hand transporters increase fares and cost of export and import transportation of goods goes up. Apart from that, road, rail, sea and air transportation fares increase with the rise in petroleum prices. Where does the government want to take the nation?

Ashley Caldeira | 13 years ago | Reply It was stated by Our Prime Minister, that the PPP Government is not increasing but OGRA is, due to fact that the international Oil prices are increasing. But I disagreed with this statement personally, because he also stated that around the World, Pakistan Price of Petroleum Products is much less comparing to other countries. Abroad, it is true that the Prices of Gasoline is increasing but we cannot ignore the fact, that it does not AFFECT the Basic Necessities of the Public e.g Prices rise in Food ( Sugar, Rice, Atta, Cooking Oil, Milk and other commodities ) and transportation fare. Only the Pakistani Politicians business benefit since they control the Sugar, Atta, Cooking Oil, Milk and other basic Commodities because it is the only monopoly in Pakistan. The other Governments Controls all these factors but since 2008, the PPP Government has only made fake promises like their will give Roti, Kupra, Makan to all Pakistani. The PPP Government has actually promised that their will TAKE ALL the Roti, Kupra and Makan from the People of Pakistan till the government has completed its term.

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