The Lahore High Court on Friday sought replies from the federal and Punjab governments by August 1 on a petition against alleged hoarding, black-marketing and profiteering by traders during Ramazan and the government’s failure to control prices of basic commodities.
Justice Khalid Mahmood Khan issued the order on a petition by the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP).
The petitioner’s counsel said that some ‘black sheep’ in Pakistan were making exploitative profits while the federal and provincial governments failed to control the prices of essential commodities. He said that the governments were also unable to control hoarding and black marketing of these commodities.
The judge observed that the centre and provinces were constitutionally responsible to provide essential commodities to the citizens at reasonable prices.
The counsel said that the prices of wheat, maize, sugar, fruits and vegetables had risen alarmingly, making it difficult for the common man to make ends meet. He said that the government had shown no interest in the matter so far.
He held the prime minister and the chief minister responsible for the high prices and that they should be prosecuted for failing in their constitutional obligations.
Relevant laws provided meagre penalties of up to three-year imprisonment for hoarding, black marketing, excess profiteering and adulteration, the counsel added.
He suggested that the court amend these laws and include rigorous imprisonment of not less than 10 years. He requested the judge to summon the prime minister and the chief minister to answer for their administrations.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 30th, 2011.
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