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SC tells provinces to form committees to regulate flour prices
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Monday directed all provincial governments to form pricing committees to regulate the prices of flour for the convenience of public at large and submit a report on April 22. In its order, the apex court said that besides amicus curiae Rafique Rajwana, Dr Shakeelur Rehman, food security commissioner at the Ministry of National Food Security and Research, and Taufiq Asif, learned counsel for petitioner Liaquat Baloch, have been heard and there was a general opinion amongst all of these gentlemen that an effort was required to ensure that minimum nutritional needs of the citizens were met. The court said that Dr Rehman had pointed out that standard minimum daily intake of calories for an individual was 2,350 calories. “It is this minimum standard which will ensure that fundamental rights mentioned in Article 9 and 14 and the principles of policy set out in Article 38 of the Constitution are assured.” The court said that an additional attorney general had submitted a report (CMA-2042/14) containing input from all provinces. “The report, however, is incomplete as it does not contain relevant information and statistics to enable this Court to ascertain, if indeed, the fundamental rights mentioned above are being assured to the citizens of the country.” The SC directed the authorities concerned to submit a consolidated report, which should also contain relevant statistical data aimed at demonstrating that the fundamental rights mentioned above were being protected. The court also formed four committees to make on-spot checks for the purpose of assisting it in ascertaining the price/availability of flour in the context of enforcement of the fundamental rights noted above. The court said that amicus curiae Rajwana also suggested that the federal government could also convene a meeting of government functionaries for the purpose of informing the court about possible ways and means through which fundamental rights under Articles 9 and 14 of the Constitution can be assured to the citizens of Pakistan. At the last hearing, the apex court had expressed anger over the failure of the state in providing basic necessities of life to citizens and had remarked that billions were being spent on extravagance. Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leader Liaquat Bloach petitioned in the Supreme Court that flour, which was available at Rs13 per kilogramme five years ago, was now being sold at Rs42 per kilogramme.
He said that unprecedented hike in prices had made it difficult for the masses with low-income resources to feed their children and family.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk