LAHORE: The fresh hike in prices of petroleum products has been challenged in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Saturday over claims that the requisite procedure was not followed.
The petition, filed by advocate Muneer Ahmed, stated that the increase in prices was illegal as rules and regulations were not followed and no approval was taken from the federal cabinet. The petitioner pleaded with the court to declare the recent increase in fuel prices as null and void.
The development sent shockwaves among citizens that that government has approved a massive hike of 33 percent in the price of petroleum products with immediate effect. The price hike was approved by the Petroleum Division without the recommendation of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
The nod was supposedly given by Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Petroleum Nadeem Babar and bypassed rules and regulations to get the summary approved from the prime minister. The price hike was isssued with immediate effect rather than the usual practice on the first of every month.
A notification was issued on Friday evening stating that Prime Minister Imran Khan has approved a summary of recommendations to increase the prices of petroleum products “in view of the rising oil prices trend in the global market.”
Petrol prices have been hiked by a massive up Rs25.58 per litre and will now be sold at Rs100.10 per litre. The prices of high-speed diesel (HSD), kerosene oil, and light diesel were increased Rs21.31, Rs23.50, and Rs17.84 per litre respectively.
The new prices of HSD, kerosene oil, and light diesel are respectively Rs101.46, Rs59.06, and Rs55.98 per litre. The news created panic buying on Friday night as citizens rushed to get tanks filed but the petrol stations had closed the units.
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