The Lahore High Court here Thursday restrained the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) from conducting raids and taking any other coercive measures against liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) companies. The court, however, sought replies from Ogra and other respondents till December 18.
The LPG Association approached the court, challenging the Ogra drive against companies and shopkeepers for not selling gas in accordance with the new price. The petitioner also challenged a new notification issued on December 8 this year increasing the gas price.
Petitioners submitted that they had earlier challenged an Ogra notification issued on July 5 this year and the authority had given a solemn undertaking to the LHC that it would not issue a fresh notification as the matter was sub-judice. The court had appointed a Chartered Accountant to determine the maximum sale price of the gas. But, on December 8, Ogra again issued a fresh notification, forcing the companies and shopkeepers to sell the gas at Rs 125 per kilogram. The association submitted that the fresh notification was also issued without consulting with companies and other stakeholders. The petitioners' counsel submitted that now the authority was carrying out raids on companies and shops to ensure the sale of LPG as per new price which was violation of the court directions.