LAHORE: Days after the government increased the price of petrol by Rs5 a litre, a petition was filed in the Lahore High Court on Saturday against the federal government’s decision, urging the court to declare it void.
The prices of high-speed diesel, kerosene and light diesel oil were enhanced by Rs5.01 per litre, Rs5.46 and Rs5.92, respectively, a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance earlier this week said.
Nominating the central government and the Ministry of Energy as respondents, the petition expressed apprehension that with the increase in the cost of petroleum, the prices of allied items would also surge.
The petitioner further recalled that several applications have already been filed with the high court challenging the hike.
“The government has enhanced Petroleum Regulatory and Development Levy Tax,” said the petitioner, requesting the court to order the withdrawal of additional taxes so that the prices could be brought down.
The petition further argued the increase was against articles 2-A, 4, 9, 14, 29 and 38 of the Constitution. “In view of the aforementioned facts, it is prayed to the court to declare hike in POL prices null and void.”
The fuel price increases follow a rise in oil prices this year, as a result of confidence over the economic recovery as Covid-19 vaccinations were rolled out and tight supplies as the Opec group and its allies slowly relaxed production curbs introduced early in the pandemic.
