LAHORE The Lahore High Court (LHC) Thursday restrained all private schools from collecting summer vacation fee in advance and directed them to act upon the notification, issued by the provincial government in this regard. Justice Ali Akbar Qureshi passed the order while hearing a petition moved by Advocate Sheeba Qaisar. The judge observed that the government often makes advertisements on the media but does not bother to issue such advertisements which were beneficial for the public. The lawyer-petitioner told the judge that the Punjab government had already issued a notification and stopped private schools from collecting fee for summer vacations in advance. She said but the schools, instead of acting on the notification, were forcing students to pay fee in advance, which was creating problems for students and their parents. The Education Department officials were also present in the courtroom. They stated they did not receive any complaint from parents or students in this regard. On this, Justice Qureshi remarked that concealing facts could not be tolerated and directed the officials to advertise that notification in newspapers. food prices: The Lahore High Court Thursday directed all District Coordination Officers (DCOs) in Punjab to submit analysis of prices of eatable items after decline in petrol price in the country. Justice Farrukh Irfan Khan was hearing a petition seeking directives for government for appropriate action against traders involved in black marketing, hoarding and excessive profiteering. The judge observed that the officers concerned failed to perform their responsibilities and the essential eatable items were still unaffordable by common man ahead of Ramazan. He observed that federal secretary food was responsible to take steps for the implementation of reduced prices. The petitioner argued that the government miserably failed to ensure a decrease in prices of eatable items after the significant decline in petrol price. He said traders were looting the public and there was no authority to take action against them. He prayed to the court to order the government to establish an independent authority for price control and checking hoarding to save and protect the fundamental rights of the citizens. He further prayed for restoration of magisterial system, which was in consonance with the existing price control laws for controlling the black marketing and hoarding across Punjab. The government’s counsel requested the court to give time for submission of the report about prices of the eatables. The judge allowed the request and adjourned hearing till June 15.
