Queuing up for free flour against human dignity: LHC

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court on Friday observed that the distribution of free flour by making people wait in long queues was a violation of their self-respect and dignity.

In its detailed verdict on a petition filed against the handing over of free flour after the death of people in stampedes at distribution points in Punjab, LHC’s Justice Shahid Jamil Khan barred the caretaker government of the province from publicising the scheme in the media.

The verdict noted that Article 14 of the Constitution mentioned human dignity.

The judgment noted that Article 14 of the Constitution should not be violated during the procedure of distributing essential food items to deserving people.

According to the written order, making people stand in lines for the provision of food items was insulting to their self-respect and dignity.

Read more: MNA slams ‘fatal’ flaws in free flour scheme

It also noted that media coverage of the distribution was tantamount to adding fuel to the fire and displaying performance through government funds was equal to “corrupt practice” and “bad faith”.

“The Holy Quran also forbids personal publicity regarding the distribution of charity,” the verdict read.

The verses of the Holy Quran have also been incorporated in the court judgment.

“The self-respect of the citizens should be maintained in line with Islamic teachings. Both [the Holy] Quran and the Constitution guarantee human dignity and respect,” the judgment read.

The affirmation of human dignity (karamah) in Islam is found in the Quranic verse where the Almighty declares: “We have bestowed dignity on the children of Adam… and conferred upon them special favours above the greater part of our creation.”

This verse is self-evident in its recognition of inherent dignity for all humans without qualification of any kind.

The court noted in the judgment that according to the government’s lawyer, 12.3 million deserving families has been identified in Punjab that were not registered with the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP).

The court ordered the caretaker government of Punjab to provide direct subsidy to these families.

Four people, including two women, have died at distribution sites in eastern Punjab, provincial Information Minister Amir Mir told Reuters.

“Several (more) were injured because of the rush at some spots .. [Caretaker] Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has ordered an inquiry about these incidents,” Mir added.

Pakistan is currently going through one of its worst economic crises amid depleting foreign exchange reserves and increasing cost of living.

The government has launched the initiative to distribute free flour among low-income families to ease the impact of record-breaking inflation and soaring poverty during the holy month of Ramazan.

(With input from agencies)