The oil and gas regulatory authority (Ogra) and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL) here Friday asked Lahore High Court to dismiss a petition challenging increase in POL prices and slab rates of Sui gas after declaring it non-maintainable. Both the authorities through their counsel filed a reply to the petition filed by General Secretary Consumer Rights Forum, Muhammad Hanif Goraya, challenging increase in the POL prices and gas tariff.
The counsel of the respondent said that the petitioner had an alternative remedy under section 12(2) of Ogra ordinance 2002 to agitate POL prices. About the Slab Rates of Sui gas, the petitioner had a remedy of filing review under rule 16 of natural gas tariff rules 2002, the counsel for SNGPL argued before the court.
At this, the petitioner's counsel sought time to prepare his arguments in this regard and the court deferred hearing. The petitioner had contended that instead of cutting back on its own expenditure and luxuries, the rulers are keeping the masses in pain by repeating increase in the POL and gas prices every month. He said high petroleum prices mean high rates of every item consumed by the poor to sustain their life.
He said it is pity that government has tended to up the prices when POL rates are on the decline in the international market. He prayed to the court to direct the respondents to recall the decision and reverse prices. He also requested the court to set aside a notification of increasing Slab Rates of gas.
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