KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Monday heard a petition seeking a ban on the sale and manufacturing of gutka in Karachi.
A SHC bench headed by Justice Hassan Azhar, heard two petitions, one filed by a cancer patient Naseem Hyder seeking ban on manufacturing of gutka and another by dealers of ghutka seeking permission for its sale. The court had clubbed two petitions on the same matter.
During the hearing, Justice Hassan Azhar asked gutka seller, “Are you unaware that gutka is hazardous to health and is causing mouth cancer?”
“How can the court grant you permission to sell this hazardous thing,” the bench remarked. The counsel of petitioner argued that his client was suffering from cancer and was now struggling for his life. He requested the court to slap ban on manufacturing and sale of gutka in the city.
Later, the court adjourned the hearing for indefinite period. However, in December 2018, the court had directed the Sindh advocate general, law secretary and others to submit their reply with regard to promulgation of the law which banned the sale and manufacturing of Gutka and Mainpuri in the province.
The court had issued direction on a petition against the sale and manufacturing of gutka and mainpuri in Thatta district.