ISLAMABAD: A civil court in Gujranwala has summoned the caretaker Prime Minister, Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar, regarding the recent increase in petroleum product prices.
In response to a writ petition challenging the recent petrol price hike, Judge Mohammad Awais has called for the interim Prime Minister, the Secretary of Petroleum, and the Commissioner of Gujranwala to appear before the court.
Advocate Manzoor Qadir filed the petition on September 16, seeking a restraining order against the caretaker government’s decision to raise fuel prices. The petition identifies the caretaker prime minister and other officials as “concerned parties” and condemns the recent increase in petroleum prices as “unjust.”
Following the hearing on Tuesday, the court issued a summons to Premier Kakar and other aforementioned officials requiring their appearance before the court on September 20, Today.
Government increases fuel prices to record level
Last week, the caretaker government raised petrol prices by more than Rs26 and diesel prices by over Rs17 per liter in its fortnightly review.
The Finance Ministry attributed this decision to the rising oil prices in the international market.
According to the Finance Division, the price of petrol increased by Rs26.02 per liter, and the price of high-speed diesel (HSD) rose by Rs17.34 per liter.
Consequently, the new prices stand at Rs331.38 per liter for petrol and Rs329.18 per liter for HSD.
Remarkably, this marks the second time in a month that petroleum product prices have surged, reaching historic highs.
On September 1, the caretaker government had previously raised petrol and diesel prices by over Rs14.
The Finance Division had justified this hike by citing the “increasing trend of petroleum prices in the international market and exchange rate variations.”
Industry insiders noted that while the rupee’s appreciation would have a positive impact on petroleum prices, it would not be sufficient to counterbalance the effects of escalating global oil prices.
