ISLAMABAD: Justice Tariq Mehmood Jahangiri of Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Wednesday summoned the deputy commissioner on a petition filed by the Naanbais Association against registration of FIRs against tandoor owners for overcharging the price of Roti.

Barrister Umar Ijaz Gillani, counsel for the petitioner, challenged the notification dated April 26 issued by the district magistrate whereby the price of Roti (100 grams) had been fixed at Rs16 and that of Naan (120 grams) at Rs20 under Section 3 of the Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 1977.

Mr Gillani contended before the court that Section 3 of the Price Control and Prevention of Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 1977, provided that the federal government was empowered to issue notification in this regard and fix a “fair price”. Another mandatory requirement was that the notification shall be given publicity in the official gazette, but the impugned notification was not published in it, he added.

The counsel further contended that there was no justification for fixing the rate of Roti having a weight of 100 grams at Rs16 and the rate of Naan weighing 120 grams at Rs20.

He pointed out that in Punjab and remote areas of the province like Chakwal and Talagang, the same rate of Roti had been fixed. It is not possible that in a city like Islamabad, the Naanbai Association could sell Roti at the same rate as fixed by the Punjab government.

The court issued notices to all the relevant authorities and directed the “deputy commissioner… to appear in person on the next date of hearing.” Further hearing has been adjourned until May 10.

Published in Dawn, May 9th, 2024