Diesel and kerosene prices: IHC directs ministry to submit reply to petition within two weeks

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Tuesday directed the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources to submit a reply within two weeks in response to a petition, seeking reduction in the diesel and kerosene prices. The single member bench of Justice Munir Paracha gave the directives and adjourned the hearing for October 13.
Making the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources a party, petitioner Kokab Iqbal observed that the international market had witnessed almost 40 percent decrease in the prices of petroleum, but the government of Pakistan had increase the prices of diesel and kerosene oil. The recent increase in the prices of petroleum products was not justified, the petitioner added.
Kokab Iqbal, arguing the case, said that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) had recommended the government to reduce the POL prices, but the government refused to accept the recommendation. He said that the Ogra was the only authority, which determined the POL prices. The petitioner stated that the Ogra had raised the prices of petrol, diesel and kerosene oil six times during the last five months.