ISLAMABAD: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Monday challenged the recent increase in petrol prices and fuel-related levies in the Constitutional Court, arguing that the measures have placed an excessive financial burden on citizens.
The petition, filed by Jamaat-e-Islami, contests the government’s Petroleum Levy mechanism as well as the newly introduced Climate Support Levy (CSL). The party maintains that these charges violate constitutional principles, parliamentary authority, the federal structure, and citizens’ fundamental rights.
According to the plea, the Petroleum Levy has evolved from a limited regulatory charge into a major revenue-generating tool for the government. The petition alleges that the levy is being imposed through executive notifications and statutory regulatory orders (SROs) instead of proper parliamentary legislation.
The filing states that the levy on petrol has climbed to nearly Rs117.41 per litre, representing around 43 percent of the ex-refinery price. It further claims that the government aims to collect approximately Rs1.47 trillion through the Petroleum Levy during the 2025–26 fiscal year, while cumulative collections have already surpassed Rs6.3 trillion.
The petition argues that repeated increases in fuel levies have significantly raised the cost of living and added pressure on ordinary households across the country.
JI has also challenged provisions of the Finance Act 2025, particularly the removal of the legal ceiling on the Petroleum Levy.
The petition contends that the government is effectively collecting a tax under the label of a “levy” to bypass constitutional safeguards and parliamentary scrutiny.
Hafiz Naeem urged the Constitutional Court to intervene against what he described as economic exploitation of the public and to restore legal and parliamentary oversight over fuel-related charges.
The petition further requests the court to strike down Section 3 of the Finance Act 2025, declare the unlimited executive authority unconstitutional, and rule the Petroleum Levy invalid as an unconstitutional form of taxation.
