Chief Justice Lahore High Court on Wednesday directed secretary foods Punjab to appear before the court on January 24 on a petition questioning the wheat and flour crisis in the country.

The petitioner through his counsel argued that the government failed to set a target for procuring an estimated amount of wheat and there was also mismanagement of price-control.

He alleged that the mafia persuaded the government to allow export of wheat with heavy rebate that led to the crisis.

He said the government badly failed to control exploitation and the citizens were now forced to face the consequences.

The lawyer contended that details of exact production and estimated target for all of the country and its provinces needed to be brought on record along with reasons for allowing export when there was a shortage in the country.

The court issued notices to the federal and provincial governments and observed that it wanted to know the reasons behind the crisis and the failure of the government to control it.