SHC issues notices on plea seeking action, enforcement of laws

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the chief secretary, the agriculture secretary, the supply and price department, the director general of the bureau of supply, the pricing department and others on a petition seeking the enforcement of laws pertaining to the control of hoarding and black market of essential commodities in the province.

M Tariq Mansoor submitted in the petition that several laws, including the Sindh Registration of Godown Act, Hoarding and Black Market Act 1948 and Sindh Essential Commodities Price Control & Prevention of Profiting and Hoarding Act 2005, had been promulgated from time to time by the provincial government and they pertained to checking the hoarding and black market of essential commodities, but they were not being enforced in letter and spirit.

He said that the Sindh Registration of Godown Act 1995 was promulgated some 25 years back but could not be enforced properly, resulting in citizens facing artificial crises and shortages of essential commodities such as tomatoes, onion, sugar and wheat. He said the citizens had become victims of black marketing, hoarding and profiting by unscrupulous elements.

The complainant said the Karachi Essential Article (Price Control and Anti-hoarding Act) 1953 was enacted for regulating the possession, distribution and sale of essential commodities in Karachi division, but unfortunately it was not enforced in letter and spirit. He submitted that the people were compelled to purchase commodities at higher prices without any check and control by the provincial and federal governments, which were supposed to ensure supplies of these commodities at notified prices.

The court was requested to call record from the provincial government with regard to the enforcement of the Sindh Registration of Godown Act and other essential commodities’ laws and to direct the government to ensure the sale of essential commodities at notified rates in the province.

A division bench headed by Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar issued notices to the chief secretary, the agriculture secretary, the supply and price department, the director general of the bureau of supply, the pricing department and others and called their comments on February 25.