Sugar price hike challenged in Lahore High Court

Court orders govt to ensure availability of essentials at controlled rates

LAHORE:

A civil miscellaneous application has been filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) challenging the increase in sugar prices.

The petitioner filed this application through advocate Azhar Siddique, requesting the court to restrain the authorities concerned from charging fixed prices and implementing exorbitant increases in sugar prices, which are not determined in accordance with the law.

The petitioner, Judicial Activism Panel (an NGO), contends in its petition that sugar millers in Pakistan always hold considerable power. Over the past two decades, more than 50 per cent of domestically produced sugar has been processed in mills owned or associated with political parties in power.

While some may criticise political parties for being sponsored or influenced by sugar barons, a more serious observer may be interested in analysing the underlying forces at play. The petitioner highlights the need to employ modern scientific principles to protect and preserve these sacred relics.

The court observed that the price control and competition laws in Pakistan are not being effectively enforced, resulting in unpredictable price hikes of essential commodities and failure to bring these commodities within the minimum purchasing power of the lower-income class, which is a duty of the state under Articles 9, 14, and Article 38 of the Constitution.

It further states that a stable and thriving economy is essential for the country's well-being, and a balance must be struck while implementing price control and competition laws to avoid disruptions in the market and losses for producers. The court emphasised that the government should ensure essential commodities are sold at controlled and fixed rates at retail outlets across the province, in line with its constitutional duty.

Additionally, the court suggested that the government should order sugar mills to make available the specified amount of raw sugar for the current season and change the criteria for purchasing sugar from the local industry.

It also called for banning future trading of sugar and other basic commodities and obtaining complete records of mills holding complete stocks but not selling or floating sugar in the local market.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2023.