Chakwal: Lawyers in Chakwal boycotted court proceedings on Saturday to protest the latest increase in petroleum prices, while a separate petition was filed in the Lahore High Court challenging the government’s decision.
The strike was called by the District Bar Association Chakwal, with lawyers staying away from court proceedings and staging demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of the fuel price increase.
The protesting lawyers said rising fuel costs were placing an additional financial burden on both the public and members of the legal community.
They warned that the increase would push up transportation expenses and consequently lead to higher prices for essential and daily-use goods.
The District Bar Association called on the government to reverse the decision and provide relief to consumers.
The government on Friday raised the price of petrol by Rs5.02 per litre and high-speed diesel by Rs5.28 per litre, taking the new petrol price to Rs375.82 per litre.
Meanwhile, a constitutional petition challenging the latest increases in petrol and high-speed diesel prices has been filed in the Lahore High Court.
Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique, who filed the petition, has asked the court to direct the government to withdraw the increase and provide immediate relief to consumers.
The petitioner contended that the prices of petrol and diesel had risen by more than Rs30 and Rs25 per litre, respectively, within the space of a week.
The petition also argued that petroleum prices in Pakistan were higher than in several other countries in the region.
It called on the government to disclose the complete formula used to determine the prices of petroleum products.