Dairy products' prices: SHC directs commissioner to file report by February 17

The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the commissioner Karachi on Friday to file comprehensive report reflecting a regulation of dairy products' prices by February 17, 2017.
A two judges SHC bench, headed by Chief Justice Sajjad Ali Shah was hearing the petition filed by Muhammad Imran Shehzad, a civil rights campaigner, who had moved the court for reduction of rates of dairy products and formation of a taskforce to regulate the prices.
In Friday's hearing, the petitioner informed the bench that wholesalers are providing milk at Rs 63 per litre to the retailers who were selling it at Rs 84 to 100 per liter in the market. Besides, he added that the SHC had directed the city administration in March 2016 to fix the milk price at Rs 80 per litter but the higher judiciaries directives have not been complied with yet.
The court remarked that what happened about the formation of Sindh Food Authority that was planned by the provincial government to check the quality of the food, as well as, its prices.
The bench also observed that the hike in prices is not being controlled despite the existence of the food department. While adjourning the matter till February 17, the city's commissioner was directed to furnish a detailed report regarding the dairy products' prices fixed by the local administration.
Earlier, the petitioner had stated that the authorities concerned are not fixing the prices of dairy products by following the procedure provided under Price Control and Prevention Profiteering and Hoarding Act, 1977.
According to the petitioner, the SHC in August 2016 directed the authorities concerned to form a mechanism to control and maintain the prices of dairy product; however, the milk prices were increased in violation of court's earlier order. The court was requested by the petitioner to direct the law enforcement agencies, including Rangers and police, to ensure the sale of milk at reasonable prices.