The second price increase in gasoline was challenged in a plea filed on Thursday with the Lahore High Court (LHC), since the recent increase in the price of petroleum goods added billions of dollars in additional debt to the already struggling population.
As the Sharif-led government increased the price of petroleum goods by about 9% on Wednesday in accordance with IMF directives to release frozen cash, the Lahore High Court was contacted.
Following the increase, a petition was submitted to the Lahore High Court on Thursday asking the court to give orders to stop the increase in the price of gasoline. Respondents in the case included the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra), the Petroleum Minister, and others.
The petitioner argued that the increase in gas prices was unlawful and begged the court to declare the new pricing void. He insisted that the recent price increase will lead to an increase in the cost of other goods as well, causing significant problems for the general public.
With the revised prices, Sharif led government jacked up the price of petrol by Rs22.20 per litre, pushing it to record Rs272 per litre while the new price of high-speed diesel has been fixed as Rs280 per litre following an increase of Rs17.20.
