LHC seeks response on plea challenging pre-Ramazan price hike

Petitioner says unchecked inflation is causing hardship for citizens before the holy month of fasting

LAHORE:

The Lahore High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the respondents on a petition challenging the rise in prices of essential commodities ahead of Ramazan and sought their replies by February 20.

Justice Khalid Ishaq heard the petition filed by the Judicial Activism Panel, which argued that prices of routine food items have increased sharply before the start of the holy month.

The petitioner contended that while Ramadan is a month of blessings for Muslims, citizens are facing severe hardship due to unchecked inflation.

Read: Administration fixes Ramazan prices

It further submitted that the provincial government has failed to control food prices and argued that hoarding and profiteering should be treated as violations of fundamental rights.

The plea also alleged non-implementation of previous court orders on price regulation and requested the court to direct authorities to fix prices of essential commodities and take strict action against hoarders.

The court adjourned the hearing after issuing notices to the respondents.

Price surge details

The prices of several key food items have surged in the weeks leading up to Ramadan.

At the vegetable market, record purchases were reported for potatoes, onions, tomatoes, capsicum, coriander, garlic, ginger and lemons. In the fruit market, prices of all varieties rose by Rs50 to Rs100 per kilogram.

Staples for iftar - including dates, gram flour, spices, white chickpeas, red beans, and ingredients for dahi bhallay, chaat and fruit chaat - saw significant price hikes. This year, ordinary-quality dates are being sold at around Rs550 per kilogram, while premium varieties range between Rs1,000 and Rs2,000 per kilogram.

Traders have doubled the prices of several popular items compared with last year. Price control magistrates have been criticised for failing to curb inflation during the pre-Ramadan wholesale rush.