A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the recent increase in petroleum prices and seeking the suspension of the government’s notification.
The petition was submitted by Azhar Siddique of the Judicial Activism Panel, who argued that the government had raised petrol prices by Rs. 55 per liter, calling the move unlawful and harmful to the public.
According to the petition, the increase in petroleum prices could lead to higher transportation costs, electricity tariffs, agricultural expenses, and food prices. The petitioner also claimed that oil marketing companies already maintain 15 days of petroleum reserves, and raising prices despite these stocks was illegal.
The petition requested the court to direct the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and the Ministry of Energy to submit details of the available petroleum reserves before the court.
It further asked the court to declare the notification regarding the increase in petroleum prices null and void.
The price increase was announced after the government raised the price of petrol and high-speed diesel by Rs. 55 per liter. Following the revision, petrol was priced at Rs. 321 per liter, while high-speed diesel was set at Rs. 336 per liter.