IHC Suspends Price Reduction on Naan and Roti in Islamabad

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has suspended the notification that slashed prices of naan and roti in the federal capital. This decision came after IHC Justice Tariq Mahmood Jahangiri considered the plea of the Naanbai Welfare Association’s president.

In the plea, the association argued that the controller general had unilaterally reduced the price of roti from Rs25 to Rs16 and naan from Rs30 to Rs20 without consulting them. They emphasized that these new prices were unreasonably low and detrimental to their livelihoods.

The district administration, however, defended the decision, citing the powers granted to the controller general to regulate prices of essential commodities, including naan and roti, following a legal amendment.

Barrister Umar Aijaz Gilani, representing the Naanbai association, contended that the notification did not align with the relevant legal provisions. He also highlighted the high costs of rent and flour in Islamabad.

During the proceedings, the court questioned whether the association had been consulted regarding flour prices before the price reduction was enforced. It emphasized the importance of delivering justice while ensuring public satisfaction.

Consequently, the court suspended the notification and requested a detailed response from the concerned authorities by May 6. This decision puts a temporary halt to the reduction of naan and roti prices in Islamabad.

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