KARACHI – The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday adjourned proceedings on the constitutional petition regarding increase in milk price, after it was told that negotiations for the reduction in prices were being held between dairy farmers and the city government. The SHC division bench comprising Chief Justice Musheer Alam and Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi was hearing the case, where Advocate Manzoor Ahmed, counselling on behalf of the City District Government Karachi (CDGK), appeared before the bench and submitted that negotiations over the issue regarding decrease in the milk items prices were undergoing.
The counsel argued that the CDGK has initiated talks with the Dairy Farmers Association to convince them for decreasing milk price. He maintained that the talks between both the parties may reach their conclusion very soon and the matter might be resolved within the next few days. After hearing arguments from a respondent, the court adjourned the hearing to a date in office. Earlier, petitioner Rana Faizul Hassan submitting his application before the bench had sought restriction in the increase of milk price by the respondents.
“There are no existing laws relevant to restrict the authorities concerned from increasing the prices of basic necessities and essential commodities such as milk, which affects the consumers financially, as they are continuously being exploited by the retailers,” submitted Hassan. The plaintiff contended that a law regarding the protection of consumers’ rights was promulgated in the Punjab province in 2005 and was good enough to provide relief to the consumer on daily basis; however, the Sindh government has so far failed to enact any laws in this regard. Quoting recent developments, the plaintiff stated that the milk price was increased by Rs 10 per kg unlawfully and the government failed to control it, thereby, yogurt is being sold at Rs 90 per kg.
Citing the Sindh chief secretary, the Karachi administrator, relevant CDGK district coordination officer, Karachi Dairy Farm Owners’ Association President Haji Akhtar and Nagori Dairy Farm Association President Sikandar Nagori as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the court that order should be issued to initiate legislation regarding promulgation of consumers’ rights law and control price hikes on essential items. The applicant also prayed the court for restricting the milk price hike and take action against milk traders under 1977 Act.
