MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): The High Court has taken strict cognizance of a writ petition filed against the sale of LPG gas cylinders in Azad Jammu and Kashmir at illicit prices more than double the regulated rates.
During the preliminary hearing, the Chief Justice of the High Court ordered the Secretary of Industries and the Commissioners of all three divisions of Azad Kashmir to appear before the court in person this coming Tuesday.
The writ petition was filed against the Azad Kashmir government and other relevant authorities by advocates Aman Shafiq Awan, Syed Kashan Ali, and Umar Nishat Banday. The petitioners were represented in court by advocates Haroon Riaz Mughal, Asad Khan, and Waqar Farooq Abbasi.
Violation of OGRA Rates
In the petition submitted to the court, the lawyers argued that, according to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), the official price for gas is set at Rs 279 per kilogram. In stark contrast, gas is being openly sold across Azad Kashmir at an arbitrary and inflated price of Rs 650 per kilogram.
The petitioners stated that the sale of gas cylinders at prices more than double the regulated rate is causing severe economic exploitation of ordinary citizens, and that the administration has failed to curb this price gouging. Written Order of the High Court:
In a written order issued following the hearing, the Chief Justice of the High Court stated that, prior to the formal admission of the petition, para-wise comments (responses) shall be obtained from all relevant respondents. To this end, directions have been issued to send copies of the petition and the accompanying documents to the respective parties.
Pursuant to the court’s order, notices have been issued to Respondent No. 3 (Secretary of Industries) and Respondents No. 7, 8, and 9 (Commissioners of the Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Poonch Divisions), directing them to appear before the Court in person on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
