Notices issued on plea against flour crisis

LAHORE: Lahore High Court Chief Justice Mamoon Rashid Sheikh Wednesday issued notices to the federal and Punjab governments on a petition questioning their failure to control the wheat and flour crisis in the country.

Representing the petition, Advocate Azhar Siddique argued that the government had failed to set a target for procuring an estimated amount of wheat and there was also mismanagement. He alleged that a mafia had persuaded the government to allow export of wheat with heavy rebate that led to the crisis. He said the purpose was to make money and the government had badly failed to control exploitation as protected under the Article 3 of the Constitution. He said citizens were now forced to face the consequences because their source of income was on the lower side.

The lawyer contended that details of exact production and estimated target for the country and its provinces needed to be brought on record along with reasons for allowing export when there was shortage in the country and as well as a list of the owners of the mills exporting wheat. Chief Justice Sheikh observed that the court wanted to know the reasons behind the crisis and the failure of the government to control it. The CJ issued notices to the respondents and also summoned the Punjab additional chief secretary and secretary foods on January 24.