Court issues notices over masks’ shortage, price surge

Nullifies notification declaring Abbas Jakhrani's house sub-jail

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued on Friday notices to the Sindh chief secretary, Karachi commissioner and other relevant authorities on a plea pertaining to the acute shortage of clinical masks and surge in their prices.

Complaining about the shortage of masks in Karachi, the petitioner's counsel maintained before a two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed, that the emergence of coronavirus in the city had created a panic, and wearing clinical masks was one of the suggested measures to protect oneself against the virus. "But the city now faces a shortage of masks," he said, adding that the stores where the masks were available were selling them for "exorbitant prices."

"A mask that was previously sold for Rs300 is now being sold for Rs800," he claimed.

The counsel moved the court to order action against those responsible for "creating an artificial shortage of masks and selling them in black in the time of crisis."

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At this, Justice Mazhar commented, "By spreading fear, masks are being sold to the citizens [at increased prices]. It is a new trick."

The court sought an explanation on the shortage of masks and the price surge, issuing notices to the provincial chief secretary, health secretary, Karachi commissioner and other relevant officials. The officials have been instructed to submit their replies at the next hearing on March 6.

Notification nullified

Meanwhile, a bench headed by SHC Chief Justice Ahmed Ali Shaikh and comprising Justice Omar Sial nullified the notification issued to declare the house of Abbas Jakhrani, the cousin of prisons adviser Aijaz Jakhrani, a sub-jail.

During the hearing of a plea seeking the notification's nullification, the petitioner's counsel maintained that Abbas' safety could be better ensured if he was kept in prison.

At this, the court questioned the rationale behind declaring the house of an accused person facing "serious charges" as a sub-jail, remarking that it appeared as though the Sindh government had been "facilitating the accused alleged of corruption."

If Abbas' house could be declared a sub-jail, then why not those of other prisoners who were not even allowed to meet their mothers, commented Justice Shaikh.

In response to the court's inquiries, home secretary Usman Chachar said that a report on the matter by the home department had been submitted to the court.

"[But] it lacks details about the number of FIRs registered [pertaining to the case]," observed Justice Shaikh. Addressing Chachar, he instructed him to be "careful" when devising and submitting a reply to the court.

Ordering Abbas' transfer to Sukkur prison, the court declared the notification declaring his house a sub-jail null and void.

Plea against gutka

At another hearing, the bench comprising Justice Mazhar and Justice Sayeed ordered the Sindh government to bear the cost of a cancer patient's treatment. The patient, Sanobar, had filed a plea seeking a ban on the sale and manufacture of gutka and other harmful concoctions of chewing tobacco.

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In addition, the court issued notices to the Sindh police chief and home secretary, directing them to ensure that the ban against gutka was enforced and thereafter submit a report by March 10.

At the hearing, the petitioner's counsel, Muzammil Mumtaz Mayo, informed the court that Sanobar has been suffering from oral cancer for the past year and did not have resources to bear the cost of treatment.

Justice Mazhar ordered the Sindh government to bear the expenses for Sanobar's treatment, warning of strict action if she was charged for the treatment.

Later, the government lawyer presented the bill formulated for action against those involved in the sale and manufacture of gutka and other harmful concoctions.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 29^th, 2020.