PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court has suspended the notification regarding the increase in gas tariffs for industrial consumers.
The court heard a petition against the increase in gas tariffs for industrial consumers. The hearing was conducted by a two-member bench comprising Justice Waqar Ahmad and Justice Sabetullah.
The court suspended the notification of the gas tariff increase and ordered that industrial consumers pay at the previous rates.
The petitioner’s lawyer stated that the petition was filed by Lucky Cement, Cherat Cement, and other industries. On January 26, 2025, OGRA raised the price of gas from 3,000 to 3,500 rupees per MMBTU. OGRA had proposed a rate of 1,772 rupees for industrial consumers, but the federal government increased the price.
The petitioner’s lawyer argued that discriminatory treatment was being given to industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and that due to the increased rates, industries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were on the brink of collapse. He added that under Article 158 of the Constitution, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should receive gas on par with other provinces. In November, the Peshawar High Court had also suspended a similar tariff increase.
The court has suspended the notification of the gas tariff increase and sought responses from the parties involved.
