PHOTO: FILE
A division bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, directed the provincial chief secretary, the Karachi commissioner, deputy commissioners of six districts, the provincial chiefs of Rangers and the police to file comments by March 24.
Petitioner Imran Shahzad had taken the provincial chief secretary, food secretary, Karachi commissioner and deputy commissioners of the city's all districts to the court seeking a fixed formula to determine milk prices formula and its implementation by law enforcers.
Milk retailers are selling the commodity at Rs84 per litre, which is illegal, claimed Shahzad. He recalled that when petrol was being sold at Rs110 per litre, milk prices were increased to Rs70 a litre. But, now the petrol prices have gone down but the milk sellers are selling the commodity at increased rates, he pointed out.
He recalled that the Sindh High Court had, on August 23, 2013, ordered the provincial and local authorities to fix the milk prices in terms of the Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 1977, which is prevailing after the 18th constitutional amendment.
He pleaded the court order the respondents implement the court orders to sell the commodity at Rs70 per litre with the help of the police and the Rangers. The court was also requested to direct the provincial and Karachi Metropolitan Corporation authorities to check prices fixed by the dairy farmers in accordance with the law.
Also a direction was sought for the Karachi commissioner and all deputy commissioners to conduct raids at milk shops to collect samples and get them tested to check its fitness for human consumption.
During Friday's proceedings, the bench issued notices to the respondents with directions to submit their comments by March 24.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 5th, 2016.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ