Bakers win relief as IHC halts crackdown

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday issued a restraining order, preventing the district administration from harassing naanbai (bakers), ordering the administration to stop actions against naanbai and instructing it to consult the association in the fixation of the price of roti and naan in the federal capital.

During the hearing, Justice Arbab Muhammad Tahir directed the petitioner to personally deliver the court's written order to the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and the Deputy Director (Food).

The court was hearing a petition concerning the pricing of roti and naan in Islamabad. Sajjad Abbasi, President of the Naanbai Association, appeared along with other representatives of the association, while State Counsel Malik Abdul Rehman represented the district administration.

The association's president informed the court that despite earlier directives, the administration continued to seal tandoors and impose fines on bakers. He further stated that the authorities had not held any consultations or meetings with the association before taking such action.

The State Counsel, however, maintained that the administration had engaged in discussions with the bakers. Abbasi refuted the claim, asserting that no formal meeting had taken place at any level.

Expressing displeasure over the administration's conduct, the court instructed the petitioner to serve the court order personally upon the concerned officials.