Record hike in petroleum prices challenged in SHC.

KARACHI -- A petition was filed in the Sindh High Court on Monday against the recent record increase in the prices of petroleum products.

The petitioners submitted that the increase in the prices from 27 per cent to 66pc was made without adopting rules, regulations and procedure.

They argued that the impugned notification was unjust, unfair and in violation of Article 4, 9, 10, 25 and 77 of the Constitution.

Impleading the secretaries of petroleum and finance, chairman of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) and others as respondents, the petitioners further submitted that without adopting the due procedure and in the absence of any summary proposed by Ogra, the government had on June 26 increased the prices of petroleum products in its sole discretion by superseding the rules and regulations though the earlier prices would be effective till July 31.

They maintained that the record hike in the petroleum products' prices was made apparently with a motive to benefit oil marketing companies, which had reserved stock to supply products on previous prices.

They further submitted that the move was also aimed...