Petroleum price hike challenged

LAHORE: The recent increase in the prices of petroleum products has been challenged before the Lahore High Court “for being unlawful.” Judicial Activism Panel (JAP) in a petition pleaded that the federal government on Feb 28 last increased the prices of petroleum products, which was illegal and unconstitutional in view of Article 3 of the Constitution read with the provisions of Sales Tax Act 1990. The JAP’s counsel stated the government was stealing billions of rupees from the pockets of citizens. He said that the government could not levy taxes more than 17 percent. The counsel requested the court to set aside the increase in the petroleum prices and also declare that sales tax on petroleum products more than 17 per cent was illegal.