Lahore High Court has reserved its decision on a petition challenging the imposition of a levy tax on petroleum products. The two-member bench, comprising Justice Hassan Nawaz Makhdoom and Justice Khalid Ishaq, heard the case, with the petitioner’s counsel Azhar Siddique presenting arguments.
The lawyer argued that, under the law, the Petroleum Development Levy Tax is set by Parliament, and the Prime Minister cannot impose it unilaterally. He noted that the Prime Minister initially set the tax at 161 rupees and later reduced it by 80 rupees.
In response, the federal government contended that the petition is not maintainable and that the Prime Minister has full authority to impose the levy tax.