PHC orders officials to monitor prices of edibles

PESHAWAR: A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) on THursday ordered the submission of a detailed report on the hike in prices of edible items and actions taken against profiteers by March 28.

Additional Chief Secretary Abid Majeed, Advocate General Shah Faisal Uthmankhel, Additional CS Planning and Development Khayyam Hassan, Secretary Food Zareeful Mani and other officials appeared before the PHC bench, comprising Justice Ijaz Anwar and Justice Waqar Ahmad.

The petitioner, Abbas Sangeen advocate, argued that the provincial government had given a free hand to hoarders and profiteers, resulting in a significant increase in the prices of edible items during Ramazan.

He expressed concern that despite global trends of decreasing prices during Ramazan, Pakistan witnesses a double increase in inflation during the holy month.Advocate General Khyber Pakhtunkhwa acknowledged the petitioner’s concerns regarding price-hikes and inflation during Ramazan. He informed the court that 52,000 inspections had been conducted across the province, resulting in fines and the sealing of shops.

However, Justice Waqar Ahmad remarked that despite data collection and registration of cases, no significant improvements had been observed. He stressed the need to establish a proper mechanism for public welfare. Justice Ijaz Anwar asked the officers to visit the markets as neither beef was available for Rs750 per kilogram nor mutton for Rs1,500.

Additional Chief Secretary Abid Majeed concurred with the bench’s observations, saying that a comprehensive plan was implemented 15 days before Ramazan to curb inflation. He attributed the price- hikes to high demand and low supply of essential items, especially meat, onions, and sugar.

He informed the court that recommendations had been forwarded to the federal government for collective efforts to control market prices, and urged consumers to adopt a rational approach to purchasing items facing shortages in the supply chain.

He said the Food Department, along with competent officials from the Halal Food Authority, decides on vegetable prices early in the morning at the Vegetable & Fruit Mandi. However, the prices of imported items cannot be fixed based on the local market value.

Justice Ijaz Anwar remarked that nowadays, everything is experiencing inflation. He ordered the ACS to personally monitor the situation as the public is facing hardships.

Justice Waqar Ahmad suggested that the provincial government should enact legislation on the matter, as fines and shop closures have not been effective. He observed that traders often reopen their shops the next day after being fined.

Justice Waqar Ahmad emphasised that shops found guilty of hoarding should be permanently closed. However, the additional secretary told the court that the administration was facing multiple challenges during Ramazan.In response to concerns raised by the bench, Majeed assured that a comprehensive report detailing actions taken would be submitted to the court.