LAHORE: The high court Thursday dismissed more than 50 petitions challenging 14 percent increase in the prices of the natural gas.
The single bench comprising Justice Mirza Viqas Rauf heard the petitions filed by Ayesha Spinning Mills and others.
During hearing, petitioner’s counsel Ahmad Bilal submitted that the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) determined the impugned gas prices for last financial year but these were being implemented after passing the said financial year, in November 2015.
He further submitted that the impugned prices were higher than the international market prices which would negatively affect the local industry. He said that the Ogra approved the hike in the prices without holding any public hearing which was a mandatory requirement for the purpose. The counsel contended that step was illegal and unconstitutional. He pleaded the court to set aside notification for 14 percent hike in the gas prices.
However, Ogra’s counsel and a Deputy Attorney General submitted that before raising the gas prices, the notice of public hearing was advertised in the newspapers and public representatives were heard. The details were also mentioned by Ogra in its decision, they added.
They further contended that the petitions were not maintainable as the petitioners did not avail the first available remedy. “Petitioners should approach first to Ogra for revision of prices,” they stressed. The court after hearing detailed arguments dismissed petitions being non-maintainable while vacating stay earlier granted against increase in the gas prices.
