A petition has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the federal government’s latest increase in petroleum prices, arguing that the hike is unjustified despite declining oil prices in the international market.
The petitioner contended that consumers were being forced to pay inflated fuel prices, alleging that “billions of rupees are being recovered from the public by selling petrol at exorbitant rates.” It also claimed that oil marketing companies were earning record profits from the higher prices.
According to the petition, petrol should cost around Rs270 per litre, rather than the current Rs310.71, based on prevailing international prices. It further argued that the price of high-speed diesel should be fixed at Rs293 per litre.
The petitioner requested the court to direct the government to reduce petroleum prices in line with global market trends.
The challenge comes a day after the federal government increased the price of petrol by Rs13.18 per litre to Rs310.71, while high-speed diesel rose by Rs13.80 per litre to Rs323.30. The government said the revised prices, effective immediately for the coming week, reflected higher international oil prices following renewed tensions between the United States and Iran.