The Supreme Court of Pakistan has directed the Lahore High Court (LHC) to expedite the resolution of the contentious sugar price case within a month.
This came during a hearing presided over by a three-member bench of the apex court, with Justice Ijazul Ahsan heading the panel.
The case, initiated by the Federation through the Ministry of National Food Security and Research against several sugar mills, revolves around the issue of setting sugar prices in the country.
The LHC had previously granted a stay to sugar millers, temporarily blocking the implementation of a notification issued by the federal government that sought to regulate sugar prices.
The Punjab government had subsequently approached the LHC, requesting the withdrawal of this stay.
During the proceedings, Additional Attorney General Aamir Rehman informed the Supreme Court that sugar mill owners had challenged the price set by the federal government in the Lahore High Court, which had resulted in the stay order.
He also expressed concerns about the price disparity, stating that while the government had fixed the price of sugar at Rs98/kg, mill owners were selling the commodity at Rs200/kg.
Rehman warned that delays in resolving the matter could lead to difficulties in recovery, prompting Justice Ijazul Ahsan to comment on the possibility of mill owners fleeing with their assets.
Justice Ahsan pointed out that the matter was currently sub-judice before the Lahore High Court and emphasized the importance of allowing the lower court to make its determination.
The Additional Attorney General's request for an order on reporting the price difference to the apex court's Registrar's office was consequently denied.
Counsels representing the sugar millers revealed that the Lahore High Court had scheduled the next hearing for September 20.
