LHC seeks reply from govt over hike in fuel prices

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued notices to the Oil and Gas Regulator Authority (OGRA), the federal government, petroleum ministry and others on a petition challenging the hike in prices of petroleum products, ARY News reported.

A two-judge bench of the LHC, headed by Justice Sultan Tanveer, heard the petition challenging the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products.

After a preliminary hearing, the court issued notices to the official respondents to file their response to the petition within 14 days.

Earlier, the plea was moved by Judicial Activism Panel chairman Azhar Siddique advocate in the LHC over hike in fuel prices.

The plea stated that fuel prices have been jacked up massively as compared to the rise in the international market. “The recent fuel hike would lead to a further rise in inflation,” the plea stated.

The petitioner pleaded with the court to declare the recent increase in fuel prices void as there is no mechanism to decide the fuel prices in the country.

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The development comes a day after the caretaker government increased the prices of petroleum products by up to Rs20 per litre amid a rise in global oil rates.

The petrol had increased by Rs17.50 per litre while high-speed diesel (HSD) was hiked by Rs20 per litre.

Earlier on August 1, the former Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM)-led government had announced a massive Rs19 per litre increase in the price of petrol and diesel.