LAHORE - The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday stopped the provincial government from purchasing sugar from mills at the rate of Rs 80 per kg.

The court summoned provincial Secretary Industries, Cane Commissioner Punjab and representatives of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for April 7. Justice Shahid Jamil Khan passed the orders while hearing petitions filed by Tandliawala Sugar Mills and others against setting ex-mill sugar price of Rs 80 per kg by the provincial government. The petitioners’ counsel argued before the court that the provincial government on its own fixed the sugar price. He submitted that the law did not permit the government to determine the sugar price and then enforce it.

He pleaded with the court to set aside the notification of fixing sugar prices and restrain the government from purchasing sugar till the final decision of the petitions. The court, after recording initial arguments, stopped the government from purchasing sugar from the mills and adjourned further hearing till April 7.

ATC confirms Javed Latif’s bail in NAB office clash case

An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) on Tuesday confirmed interim bail of PML-N MNA Javed Latif in Lahore NAB office clash case. The court ordered the MNA to submit surety bonds of Rs 100,000 for the purpose. ATC Judge Arshad Hussain Bhutta heard the pre-arrest bail applications filed by the PML-N MNA.

A counsel on behalf of Javed Latif argued before the court that his client was present outside NAB office to express solidarity with PML-N Leader Maryam Nawaz but he was not involved in clashes with police. 

He submitted that allegations leveled against his client were baseless and pleaded with the court to confirm the interim bail granted to him.

The Investigation Officer also submitted a report during the proceedings, stating that Javed Latif had joined investigations. Subsequently, the court confirmed the interim bail of Javed Latif and ordered him for submitting surety bonds for the purpose. 

The Chung police had registered a case against PML-N leadership and party workers under Section 147, 149, 290, 291, 440, 109, 353 and 186 of Criminal Procedure Code and ATA Sections over clash with police on August 11, 2020 at NAB office during appearance of PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz before investigation team in connection with illegal transfer of 180 acres land in Raiwind. The PML-N workers pelted stones at police officials and tried to break the barriers outside the NAB office as Maryam Nawaz reached NAB office.

It is pertinent to mention here that the court had already confirmed interim bail of Rana Sanaullah, Capt (retd) Muhammad Safdar and other party leaders in the case.