Petrol price hike challenged in Lahore High Court

LAHORE: A legal action has been initiated in the Lahore High Court against the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices, in which the government’s decision has been challenged in the court.

The petition has been filed by the Judicial Activism Panel. The federal government, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and other concerned institutions have been made parties in the petition.

The petitioner argues that the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products, especially the increase of Rs 26.77 per liter, is an unnecessary burden on the public.

The petition states that the price of petrol has increased to a high level of Rs 393.35 per liter, which is becoming beyond the purchasing power of the common citizen.

The petition states that the government has started using petroleum levy as a major source of revenue. Due to this policy, inflation is continuously increasing.

It has also been argued that despite the fact that there has been no significant increase in oil prices in the global market, prices have been increased in the country, which is having the greatest impact on everyday consumers, especially motorcyclists and the low-income group.

Sources say that the petitioner has requested the court to declare the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products null and void and to prevent any arbitrary increase in the future.