Under what powers? LHC questions subsidy given to sugar mills

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) questioned on Tuesday the subsidy given to the sugar industry by the Punjab government exercising its discretionary powers.

LHC Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah took notice of the government’s move while hearing a petition of Hunza Sugar Mills against the denial of 10% subsidy on sugar exports.

The sugar mills’ counsel alleged the government had been discriminatory in the subsidy, as the subsidy to his client sugar mills was stopped without reason.

The chief justice questioned the counsel under what law the government announced subsidy for sugar industry and ignored other sectors.

The sugar mills’ lawyer argued the government announced the subsidy in light of the recommendation of Council of Common Interests.

The CJ then directed the government and the petitioner’s counsel to come up with arguments on the legitimacy of the subsidy in the next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 1^st, 2017.