Oil Price Plea: LHC issues notices to OGRA, Centre

The petitioner says the increase was unfair and unjustifiable

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday sought replies from the federal government and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) to a petition challenging a recent increase in petroleum and gas prices.

Hanif Goraya, a representative of a consumer rights organisation, filed the petition. He said the increase was unfair and unjustifiable. He said the prices of petrol and CNG had been falling in the international market but rising in Pakistan.

He said the 16% sales tax on CNG was illegal and a violation of Ogra rules. He asked the court to take notice of the increase in the prices and declare them illegal. The court directed the respondents to submit their replies by the next hearing on November 14.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2012.