‘Ingredients of pan masala and gutka-mawa are dissimilar’

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed that all petitions related to the alleged trade of carcinogenic tobacco chews like gutka, mawa, and betel-nuts be consolidated for a joint hearing. The order was issued by a two-member bench, headed by Acting Chief Justice Irfan Saadat Khan, during a hearing on petitions against the ban on allegedly cancer-causing chews.

Appearing before the bench, the counsel for the petitioners argued that the ingredients in 'pan masala' are dissimilar to those in gutka, mawa, and mainpuri. This highlights a flaw in the law passed by the Sindh government, the counsel argued and urged the court to issue directives for rectifying this flaw.

Read more: Dangerous trend: Pakistan tops the Gutka consumption chart 

Justice Khan noted that the day before, businessmen involved in the betel-nut and tobacco industry had filed an application. Therefore, it was deemed appropriate to consolidate all the petitions and conduct a comprehensive examination of the relevant aspects. The court subsequently adjourned the hearing for a two-week period, instructing that all petitions be heard collectively.

The petitions contend that the Sindh government enacted legislation to combat the sale of gutka and mawa. However, the police have initiated cases against both wholesalers and retailers of chalia and tobacco. The petitioners assert that betel-nut and tobacco are distinct from gutka and mawa, highlighting the alleged misapplication of the law by the Sindh police.

Also read: Consumption of paan, gutka banned in KMC building

Meanwhile, another SHC bench adjourned the hearing on a petition filed by PTI Sindh leader Haleem Adil Sheikh seeking an indefinite extension of his physical remand due to the absence of his lawyer.

Appearing before the two-member bench, headed by Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto on Tuesday, an assistant of Sheikh's lawyer sought more time for presenting arguments. The prosecutor argued that the duration of the physical remand had already elapsed, rendering Sheikh's request ineffective.

The court adjourned the hearing due to the absence of Sheikh's attorney. An anti-terrorism court had previously granted physical remand of Sheikh in a case registered at the Mubina Town police station.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2023.