Why did high court suspend the decision to reduce price of bread?

The Islamabad High Court has suspended the recent notification regarding a reduction in the prices of bread and naan in the federal capital.

While suspending the notification till May 6, the court has asked for a detailed response from the parties on the next hearing.

The decision came during a hearing headed by Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri in response to a petition by the Non-Bi Welfare Association, which raised concerns over the legality and jurisdiction of the notification.

The petitioner took the position that the Department of Federal Price Control comes under the supervision of the Prime Minister. The lawyer for the district administration explained that the law has been amended to empower district liaison officers to issue notifications.

The Controller General of Prices and Supplies is appointed by the Federal Government. Umar Ejaz, representing the petitioner, pointed out that the section under which the notification was issued does not come under the jurisdiction of the Controller General.

The petitioner’s counsel said that no such reference was made in the notification to justify its issuance. Meanwhile, during the hearing, the court also inquired about the price of 120 grams of bread in Punjab, and whether it is available for Rs 25. In response to the question, Ejaz explained that it is the provincial government while flour is expensive in the capital and the rent is high.

When the district administration official pointed out the absence of the officer concerned and asked for time to reply, the court granted adequate time. Later, the Islamabad High Court suspended the notification and adjourned the hearing of the case till May 6.

It should be remembered that on April 15, the government announced a reduction in the prices of bread and bread in Islamabad. After the notification issued by the district administration of the capital, the new price of bread was fixed at Rs 16 while the price of naan was fixed at Rs 20.