Health ministry, law officer’s comments sought on plea against production, sale of gutka

The Sindh High Court on Wednesday directed the provincial law officer, the health ministry and others to submit comments on a petition against selling and manufacturing of gutka in the metropolis.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Muzammil Mumtaz seeking a ban on the manufacture and sale of gutka (a stimulant made from crushed areca nut, catechu, paraffin wax and staked lime) and mainpuri (a mix of tobacco and crushed areca nut) in Karachi.

The court had earlier ordered the Sindh IGP and others to ensure effective and strict enforcement of restrictions imposed on the preparation, manufacturing and selling of gutka and mainpuri throughout the province.

The petitioner had submitted that the health of a large number of citizens had been gravely endangered due to the consumption of substandard gutka and mainpuri despite imposition of a ban by the provincial government.

He said the health department had also mentioned in its comments that the consumption of gutka and mainpuri could cause oral cancer but still the manufacturing and selling of such hazardous products had been going on due to negligence of the food department.

He alleged that manufacturers of gutka and mainpuri were being supported by police and no action was being taken against them.

In his comments submitted to the high court, SSP Korangi said police had registered 184 cases in his district during the last four years against gutka manufacturers and sellers. He said 441 accused were nominated and 182 cases were registers that were pending before trial courts. The court directed the petitioner to implead the health ministry as a party in the petition and issued notices to ministry of health and other unserved respondents to file comments in the petition.

Forest land

The Supreme Court directed the district and sessions judge of Thatta to submit a report regarding encroachment on forest lands in Thatta and Sajwal.

The Sindh government submitted in its petition that private respondents were encroaching on forest lands. The provincial law officer sought time to file comments with regard to encroachment on government land. The court directed the district and sessions judge of Thatta to submit a report within two weeks after inspection of the land allegedly occupied by the private respondents.