RECORDER REPORt

KARACHI: A constitutional petition was filed in Sindh High Court (SHC) on Tuesday against the soaring prices of medicines and food items requesting the court to issue directives to authorities concerned for controlling the prices.

Women Protection Welfare Trust (WPWT) filed the petition in the court after what it pointed out thousands of women as well as helpless persons and orphans, including disabled persons in Landhi, Korangi areas of metropolis approached it that their lives not only become miserable but they are put at the stake of starvation due to price hike and sought the financial help.

Petitioner stated that prices of medicines increased recently by 200 percent, but the same has not been checked by the department concerned, as there is no check and balance upon the businessmen. In these circumstances, the poor persons are not in a position to purchase the medicines and food items as well.

Petitioner submitted that vegetables prices increased by 200 percent whereas, wheat increased by 20 percent, rice 50 percent, all pulses 30 percent etc.

The petitioner requested the court to direct the authorities to take measures to control the prices of the medicines, which has been exorbitantly increased by the dealers of medicines, as due to non-availability of check and balance system, they are required to be controlled by the respondents concerned.

Petitioner also prayed the court to direct the authorities concerned to check the prices of foods, i.e, vegetable, wheat and cooking oils, pulses etc.

Meanwhile, the SHC was also moved against the increase in the price of milk in Karachi requesting to issue orders for fixing its price.

The Commissioner Karachi, Sindh Food Authority (SFA) and others have been made respondents in the petition. Last year, SHC bench headed by Justice Aqeel Abbasi ordered to sell the price of Rs 94 per litre in the city.

Petitioner submitted that local administration and assistant commissioners in the districts of Karachi Division are not taking measures to ensure the implementation of court orders for the price it fixed. Court fixed May 07, 2019 for hearing.