Jamaat-i-Islami Emir challenges petroleum levy in court

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has moved the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) against the petroleum levy, arguing the government had effectively granted itself unrestricted power to tax citizens through executive notifications without parliamentary oversight, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In a petition moved through senior counsel Imran Shafeeq on Monday, the JI chief sought a declaration from the FCC that the present petroleum levy regime operating under the Petroleum Products (Petroleum Levy and Climate Support Levy) Ordinance, 1961 — by way of impugned amendments introduced through section 3 of the Finance Act, 2025 — was ultra vires, unconstitutional and violative of Articles 4 (right of individuals to be dealt with in accordance with law, etc), 9 (security of person), 14 (inviolability of dignity of man, etc), 18 (freedom of trade, business or profession), 25 (equality of citizens), 77 (tax to be levied by law only), 90 (the federal government), and 160 (National Finance Commission) of the Constitution.

He also sought the suspension, restraining, or appropriate limitation of the further enhancement of the petroleum levy and climate support levy through executive notification mechanisms, unless and until constitutionally compliant legislative safeguards and statutory limits were enacted by Parliament.

The petition was filed against the backdrop of JI’s recent nationwide protest against heavy petroleum levies, rising inflation, and excessive electricity tariffs.

 
Reporter Amanat Gishkori