LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) has issued notice to the government on the petition filed against the hike in the prices of petroleum products.
The court while hearing the miscellaneous petition Monday has directed federal government, ministry of petroleum, interior ministry and Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to file written reply within two weeks.
The petition came up for hearing before single bench of LHC led by Justice Shahid Karim here Monday.
During the hearing of the petition Justice Shahid Karim directed the petitioner to withdraw the name of the Prime Minster as the respondent.
On the petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel, Azhar Siddique advocate counsel for the petitioner gave the arguments that no mechanism is in place to enhance the prices of petroleum products.
Azhar Siddiqu advocate argued the matter of sales tax on petroleum products is lying with two members bench. This is absolutely matter of public interest. The court should review it constitutionally. OGRA has no powers to change the prices without mechanism.
The counsel for the petitioner requested the court to issue order to withdraw the illegal enhancement in the prices of petroleum products.
The court rejected the other petitions filed against enhancement in the prices of petroleum products.
The court remarked that fixing the price of petroleum products is government mandate.
The court while expressing annoyance over the lawyer for filing unnecessary petition remarked “ should I make this decision what should be the price of petrol.
Justice Shahid Karim while declaring the petitions filed by advocate Ahmad Masood Gujjar and others non maintainable during the hearing of the case rejected the petitions