LHC seeks replies from federal govt, petroleum ministry, Ogra

Petitioner maintains petrol price raised without approval from federal cabinet

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has sought replies from the federal government, petroleum ministry and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) on the recent hike in prices of petroleum products.

A division bench of the LHC headed by Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh heard a petition wherein the increase in the prices of the petroleum products had been challenged.

Petitioner’s counsel advocate Azhar Siddique argued that the petrol price had been increased without approval from the federal cabinet.

The petitioner had made Ogra, federal government and other concerned authorities parties in the case.

Last Friday, the government had jacked up the prices of petrol and diesel by more than Rs8 per litre. The price of petrol had been hiked by Rs8.03 to Rs145.82 per litre while that of high-speed diesel by Rs8.14 to Rs142.62 per litre.

The bench asked the government to inform the court regarding the procedure of fixing the prices of petroleum products in the country. The court also issued a notice to the attorney general.

The petitioner stated that there was no procedure to fix the prices of petroleum products while the government was receiving 17% sales tax.

It was further maintained that the government’s imposition of sales tax on essential items was a violation of constitution.