‘Prices to be raised after rich give up luxuries’

Application filed in SC prohibiting raise in prices of essential items till the rich are made to surrender luxuries.

LAHORE: An application has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an injunction against both federal and provincial governments prohibiting any raise in prices of essential items till the rich are made to surrender luxuries and follow the standard of living of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Pakistan Lawyers Forum Advocate AK Dogar filed this application in the main petition which has been pending for seven years.

He said the relief sought in the main petitions was so radical that the judges of the apex court would have to shed their own perks and privileges which may fall in the categories of ‘luxury’ and ‘non-essential.’

Advocate Dogar mentioned a report dated August 7, 2010 which read, “As soon as the plane touched down, the president and his very important coterie were chauffeured in a dozen luxury vehicles to a five-star hotel where the president will be staying in a 7,000 pounds (Rs945,000) per night royal suite.” He said that under Article 3 of the Constitution the state is bound to eliminate all forms of exploitation.

He said the accumulation of wealth, luxuries, sprawling palaces, hiring an army of cooks and darbans, discrimination of classes in airplanes, trains, buses and hospitals, lavish furniture of the offices and residences of high state officers, luxurious cars, VVIP culture are some examples of the exploitation of the poor.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2010.