Petition filed in LHC against fuel price hike 

A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the recent increase in petroleum prices, seeking suspension of the hike and a review of the pricing mechanism.

According to a news report, the petition, filed by Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique, stated that petrol prices in Pakistan have exceeded Rs450 per litre, placing the country among those with the highest fuel costs relative to income levels.

It cited international comparisons, noting that petrol is priced at around Rs250 per litre in the United States, Rs290–310 in India, Rs350–360 in Turkey, Rs280–285 in Bangladesh, and Rs350–365 in Sri Lanka, while prices in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia range between Rs170 and Rs190 per litre.

The petitioner argued that the increase had been implemented without a transparent pricing formula and questioned the legal basis for the revised rates.

The plea also challenged the government’s pricing policy and the role of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, alleging that the current mechanism lacks transparency and violates constitutional provisions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday announced an Rs80-per-litre cut in the petrol levy, bringing the price down from Rs458 to Rs378 per litre. The new rate takes effect nationwide at 12 am Saturday and will remain in place for one month.