ISLAMABAD : A petition challenging the rapid increase in the POL and gas prices was filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

Moulvi Iqbal Haider, Shahjan Durrani and Sheikh Rhmatullah have filed the petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution making federation of Pakistan, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum, Ogra Chairman and FBR Chairman as respondents.

The petition prayed the court to declare the increase in the POL and gas prices through a mini budget as unconstitutional and illegal.

“The government is competent to increase the oil and gas prices through a money bill before the parliament, otherwise increase without taking parliament into confidence would be unconstitutional and illegal”, the petition said.

The petition said that the people of Pakistan have already been facing taxes, general sales tax and other taxes, including water, property etc are unbearable by the poor or middle class people.

The petition contended that it is the duty of the government to provide all the facilities to its citizens.

“The government with mala-fide intention and ulterior motive concealed the facts of international market to increase the oil and gas prices before the parliament through annual budget and after passing the budget the government suddenly increase the oil and gas prices”, said the petition.

The petition prayed the court to strike down any laws or announcement of the federal government for increasing the oil and gas prices. NNI (News Network International), 2008

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