Directs authorities to keep stringent check on products illegally transported to Afghanistan. PHOTO: APP/FILE
The court on Wednesday ordered the cattle quota be reduced from 7,000 to 3,000 animals per month. Similarly, the government was also directed to reduce poultry products by the same ratio so that prices could fall within the purchasing power of the country’s poor people.
These orders were issued by a PHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Dost Muhammad Khan and Justice Asadullah Khan Chamkani while hearing a suo motu notice taken over complaints that prices of poultry and meat products were rising ahead of Ramazan.
The bench observed police and other law enforcement agency personnel received heavy bribes from smugglers transporting animals to Afghanistan.
During the case hearing on Wednesday, Haji Asghar, a transporter who submitted surety bonds to ensure prices remained within people’s purchasing power, told the court the vigilance committee formed to control smuggling did not include any members from Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
He said the committee members all belonged to the federal capital and questioned how it was possible for them to stop smuggling as they had not been able to visit the check posts set up to curb the illegal transport of products.
When questioned, CCPO Liaqat Ali informed the court livestock department officials did not extend any support in this regard. He added animals being transported illegally were kept in police stations for weeks without being auctioned.
“The police has to bear the brunt of it as feeding these animals becomes their job,” Ali said. “We have shuffled police personnel deployed on different check posts to stop cattle and poultry smuggling.”
The PHC ordered a committee chaired by the food secretary and constituted by commerce ministry officials to check transport permits in order to prevent the smuggling. The director generals of the National Accountability Bureau and Anti-Corruption Establishment were also directed to be vigilant and keep check on government servants tasked with stopping the illegal activity.
The provincial director of general livestock was absent during the case proceedings, causing the court to issue bailable arrest warrants against him. The provincial director was ordered to appear before the court on July 16.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 27th, 2013.
COMMENTS (4)
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This smuggling of everything under the sun to Afghanistan needs to be stopped.
When will the judges stop interfering in areas they don't have expertise in. Market forces work in funny ways which can only be understood by those who have the required knowledge and experience in these matters. You cant control prices through court orders.
How can judiciary decides about the quantum of export quota? Is it qualifies for economic decision making? It appears to be a move towards planned economy, which has miserably failed everywhere in the world & its consequence will not be different in our case. Lessons need to be learned by our judiciary failures in controlling the sugar prices. Market always react with a vengeance, when tinkered & price will be paid by the general public in terms of shortages & reduced investments; hence lower economic growth.