LAHORE: A petition challenging the recent increase in the prices of petroleum products was filed in the Lahore High Court on Monday.
The petition states that the federal government increased the prices of petrol, diesel and other petroleum products every month, citing an increase in their prices in the international market.
It says the government is collecting hefty taxes on the sale of petroleum products and that the current hike would lead to an increase in inflation in the country.
The petitioner, thus, has pleaded with the court to declare the recent increase in the fuel prices as illegal and unconstitutional and issue directives for the authorities concerned to reduce the prices.
A day earlier, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi approved an increase in the prices of petroleum products on the recommendation of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA).
Adviser to Prime Minister on Finance Miftah Ismail said that the OGRA had recommended an increase of Rs4 to Rs13, but the premier approved half of it.
The petrol price had been increased by Rs4.06 to Rs81.53 from Rs77.47 and that of kerosene by Rs6.74 to Rs64.32 from Rs57.58 per liter.
Whereas, the price of High Speed Diesel has been increased by Rs3.95 to Rs89.91 per liter and Ligh Diesel price by Rs6.25 to Rs58.37.
