SHC seeks replies over parks’ closure

Petitioner says parks should be reopened since markets have also been permitted to open

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued on Thursday notices to the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and others, seeking replies on a petition seeking the reopening of parks, clubs and other public places.

The court asked the petitioner why he wanted the parks to be reopened. “You are neither a doctor nor a scientist, so how did you decide parks should be opened?” questioned the judge.

The petitioner replied that people should boost their immunity given the pandemic, adding that this could be done through exercise.

The court asked if he wanted people to gather in the parks and spread the virus, to which he responded that as the markets had been opened, parks too should be permitted to open. “The government has eased the lockdown, but did not open parks, clubs and public places. People feel suffocated.”

Meanwhile, a private club’s counsel submitted a reply stating they were ready to reopen the club immediately.

The court issued notices to the KMC and others, ordering them to submit a reply regarding the reopening of recreational places.

Hike in milk prices

Meanwhile, retailers filed a petition in the SHC against Karachi commissioner Iftikhar Shallwani, Dairy Farmers Association Karachi and Karachi Milk Retailers Association pertaining to the expected hike in milk prices.

The petitioner maintained that Shallwani had issued a notification setting the price for milk at Rs94 per litre, but it was being sold at Rs120. He added that Shallwani should be ordered to take action against milk producers, instead of milk shops.

Retailers informed the court that they were procuring milk at Rs106 to Rs107 per litre and had to sell it at Rs110, with a profit of only Rs3 per litre, but the authorities were still raiding and sealing their shops.

They added that dairy farmers were likely to increase prices further, stating that if they were forced to purchase milk at Rs120 per litre, they would have to sell it at Rs135 in the market.

The petitioner requested the court for an immediate hearing, which was approved.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2020.