Petroleum price hike challenged in LHC

LAHORE:

A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the recent increase in petroleum prices, urging the court to immediately suspend the hike and review the existing pricing mechanism.

The plea was submitted by Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique, who highlighted that petrol prices in Pakistan have surged past Rs450 per litre, exceeding rates in several countries globally.

According to the petition, petrol costs approximately Rs250 per litre in the United States, Rs290–310 in India, Rs350–360 in Turkey, Rs280–285 in Bangladesh, and Rs350–365 in Sri Lanka.

Prices in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia stand at Rs190 and Rs170–175 per litre, respectively.

The petitioner argued that, despite Pakistan's lower income levels, citizens are facing one of the highest fuel price burdens in the world.

He contended that the government raised prices without following a transparent formula and questioned the authority of authorities to impose such excessive rates.

The petition also challenged the pricing policy of the government and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), terming it non-transparent and unconstitutional.