LHC moved against increase in petrol, diesel prices

LAHORE: A constitutional petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the recent increase in the prices of petrol and high-speed diesel (HSD), with the petitioner seeking immediate relief for consumers.

The petition was filed by Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique, who has urged the court to direct the government to withdraw the recent increase in petroleum prices and provide immediate relief to the public.

The government on Friday increased the price of petrol by Rs5.02 per litre and HSD by Rs5.28 per litre. Following the increase, the price of petrol was fixed at Rs375.82 per litre.

In the petition, the petitioner contended that petrol and diesel prices had increased by more than Rs30 and Rs25 per litre, respectively, within a week.

The petition argued that petroleum prices in Pakistan were higher than those in several other countries in the region.

The petitioner maintained that merely citing fluctuations in the international oil market was not sufficient justification for the price increases and called for the government to disclose the complete price build-up formula for petrol and diesel.

According to the petition, repeated increases in petroleum prices had triggered a “storm of inflation” and placed an additional burden on the public.

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The petitioner requested the LHC to summon the complete price formula for petroleum products from the government and examine the basis on which the latest increase was approved.

The petition further urged the court to direct the government to withdraw the recent hike and provide immediate relief to consumers.