In a recent development, the Islamabad High Court has halted a notification aimed at reducing the prices of roti and naan in the federal capital, citing concerns over legality and jurisdiction.
During a hearing overseen by Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri, the court suspended the notification until May 6, seeking a comprehensive response from involved parties. The decision came in response to a petition filed by the Naanbai Welfare Association, challenging the authority under which the notification was issued.
The petitioner argued that federal price control fell within the domain of the prime minister, questioning the jurisdiction of district coordination officers to issue such notifications. Umar Ijaz, representing the petitioner, emphasized that the section cited in the notification did not align with the authority of the Controller General.
The court, probing further into the matter, questioned the rationale behind the notification and its potential implications on public welfare. Justice Jahangiri inquired about the price of roti in Punjab, highlighting regional disparities and economic factors influencing pricing decisions.
Responding to the court’s inquiries, the petitioner’s counsel underscored the absence of justification within the notification and raised concerns over the consultation process with stakeholders, particularly tandoor owners.
Moreover, the court granted additional time to the district administration to provide a detailed response. Justice Jahangiri adjourned the hearing until May 6 for further deliberation on the legality and ramifications of the notification.
The suspension comes after the federal government’s announcement on April 15, mirroring similar measures in Punjab, to decrease the prices of roti and naan in Islamabad. The notification, issued by the capital’s district administration, aimed to reduce the financial burden on consumers by setting the price of roti at Rs16 and naan at Rs20 for 120-gram servings. However, the court’s intervention has temporarily halted the implementation of these adjustments pending legal scrutiny.
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