A lawyer has filed a petition in the Lahore High Court against the government’s decision not to reduce petroleum prices. Advocate Muhammad Azhar Siddique, Chairman of the Judicial Activism Panel, argues that Pakistani consumers should get relief from falling global oil prices.
International crude oil prices are currently around $70 per barrel. However, petrol in Pakistan is still sold at nearly Rs. 300 per litre. The petition suggests petrol prices should come down to Rs. 170–190 per litre and diesel to Rs. 180–200 per litre.
The plea strongly criticizes the heavy Petroleum Development Levy (PDL). It says the government is using fuel taxes mainly to collect revenue instead of passing on benefits to the public. The petitioner called this “public exploitation” and asked the court to order a transparent pricing system based on actual costs and legal rules.
Fuel prices affect everything in Pakistan, from transport and food costs to daily expenses for millions of families. High prices increase inflation and make life harder for common people. The government sometimes keeps levies high to meet budget targets and repay debts.
