IHC rejects Naanbais plea for notification suspension

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) rejected the plea for immediate suspension of the notification of Roti and Naan prices.

On the petition of the President of Naanbai Association, the court issued a notice to Deputy Commissioner, Islamabad, and summoned him on May 10 in person. Additional Attorney General and Advocate General Islamabad were also issued notices.

Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri heard the plea of Sajjad Ali, President of the Naanbai Association. Barrister Umar Ejaz Gilani appeared in the court on behalf of the petitioner.

The court inquired for how many rupees the tandoor owners want to sell a Roti. If the price of wheat has decreased, then what is the problem? The lawyer said Roti-Naan cannot be sold in Islamabad at the prices fixed in Talagang, Chakwal and Attock.

“A Roti is costing us around Rs21, but we are ready to sell it for Rs20,” he said, adding “We want to sit and talk with the district administration, but they have an ego problem”.

Some 30 tandoors have been sealed and 60 people have been arrested, causing them anxiety, the lawyer told the court. The counsel pleaded that the notification for fixing Roti-Naan rates was not published in the official gazette. The court adjourned the hearing till May 10.