The Supreme Court Tuesday observed that supplying essential commodities at affordable prices is government's basic constitutional responsibility. The court also sought a reply from the Punjab government in response to Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa's (KPK) plea that Punjab has been hindering the procurement and transport of wheat to the province.
A three-member bench of Justice Jawwad S Khawaja resumed the hearing of identical petitions including the plea of Secretary General Jamaat-i-Islami, Liaquat Baloch, on the availability of flour and other essential items to the public at affordable prices. The bench issued directives to Food Security Commissioner to submit a comprehensive report by the next hearing.
Advocate General KPK Latif Yousafzai submitted a report in pursuance of court's orders, in accusing the Punjab government of not only imposing unannounced restrictions on the movement of wheat for the last 20 days but also establishing checkposts on routes and roads leading to KPK. He apprised the court that blocking the flow of wheat to KPK was not only severely affecting wheat procurement but also creating a shortage in the market. "Consequently, the price of flour has risen in KPK," Yousafzai stated. Justice Jawwad S Khawaja said the court has nothing to do with price monitoring of flour in the market but nonetheless requested the concerned authorities to address the situation. The hearing of case was adjourned till May 28.
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