KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday issued notices to the federal and provincial authorities on a petition filed against the price control and prevention of profiteering law.

Over a dozen petitioners approached the SHC and contended that they were the retailers and wholesalers of fresh chicken meat, and a crackdown was being carried out against them on the pretext of price control and profiteering.

Citing the ministry of law and justice, Sindh chief secretary, secretaries of the provincial law and home departments, Bureau of Supply & Prices director general, Karachi commissioner and several other as respondents, the petitioners questioned the relevant law as well as the authority of officials concerned to take action against them.

The counsel for the petitioners argued that several provisions of the Sindh Essential Commodities Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act 2023 were liable to be suspended as it was unconstitutionally inserted via Finance Act 2006.

He also contended that the subject legislation in its current form had neither any scope nor a defined territorial jurisdiction of applicability under the law in Sindh.

The lawyer also challenged the notifications issued under the impugned provisions for the appointment of special magistrates with the powers of first class magistrate for the trial of offences related to price control etc.

After a preliminary hearing, a two-judge bench headed by acting Chief Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi issued pre-admission notices to the respondents with direction to file comments till Dec 19.

Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2023