LHC seeks govt reply over POL price hike

Petition filed by former CJP’s party seeks to get ‘increase’ declared null, void

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Friday sought a reply from the federal government by May 30 over the recent hike in prices of petroleum products.

Judge Justice Shahid Jamil Khan heard the petition filed by former CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s Pakistan Justice and Democratic Party.

During the proceedings, the judge observed that the government was not taking interest in this matter. “It might create problems for the government if the court issues a stay order,” remarked Justice Jamil.

ECC to take up proposed increase in fuel prices

The petitioner’s counsel Mudassir Chaudhry apprised the court that the prices of petroleum products could not be increased without the approval of parliament, adding that the government increased Rs8 per litre illegally.

The counsel apprised the court that the government hammered the last nail in the coffin by increasing the prices of petroleum products.

“The poor people are already burdened by the soaring inflation, but the government, instead of providing relief, preferred to increase the rates.”

He prayed the court to declare the increase in petroleum prices null and void.

A lawyer, representing the federal government, sought time for submitting a reply. The court accepted the request, directing the federal government to submit its reply by May 30.

Last month, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had recommended the government to increase the prices of petroleum products by up to 15 per cent.

However, the federal cabinet approved an increase of Rs8 per litre in the price of petrol for the month of May.