Industrial concerns: ‘Why can’t there be new sugar mills?’

Govt is not letting me install a new mill, says petitioner.

LAHORE: Lahore High Court (LHC) sought replies on Thursday from federal and Punjab governments on a petition challenging a ban on establishment of new sugar mills and expansion in the existing ones. 

Justice Ibadur Rehman Lodhi heard a petition moved filed by the Ibrahim Sugar Mills.

Mills Chief Executive Officer Umar Farooq submitted through his counsel that the Industries Department was not allowing him to install a new plant. He said the government banned the establishment or extension of sugar mills by amending the Punjab Industries (control on establishment enlargement) Act in 2006. He said the then governor had approved the amendment.

The lawyer argued that the Constitution guaranteed right to do lawful business. He said the ban violated the fundamental rights. He requested the court to set aside the ban.

The judge observed that it appeared that the ban was meant to maintain the monopoly of existing sugar mills. He sought a reply from the respondents and adjourned the hearing until May 16.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 1^st, 2015.