ZUBAIR QURESHI
Only days after the government announced a new ordinance “Covid-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) Ordinance, 2020” and announced strict punishments for hoarders and profiteers, Federal Minister for Law and Justice Dr Farogh Naseem on Sunday said under the new law, severe punishments will be meted out to hoarders. Addressing a press conference at the Media Centre, Press Information Department (PID) Farogh Naseem warned whoever is found involved in hoarding of essential commodities will face severe punishments. As per our ordinance, it will be a criminal offence liable to three-year jail term to be involved in hoarding. The perpetrator will face three years in jail, summary trials, heavy fines of up to 50 per cent, confiscations and more.” Under “COVID-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) Ordinance, 2020” hoarding of the following 32 consumer items will be a punishable act: tea, sugar, milk, powdered milk, milk and food for infants, edible oil, aerated water, fruit juices and squashes, salt, potatoes, onions, mutton, eggs, gur, pulses, fish, beef, spices and vegetables, red chili, medicinal drugs, kerosene, rice, wheat, flour, chemical fertilizers, poultry food, surgical gloves, face masks, N95 masks, sanitisers, surface cleaning products, pesticides, match stick and isopropyl alcoh. “The ordinance has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) that is vetting it at the moment,” Dr Farogh Naseem shared, adding that the government will release it by Monday or Tuesday following which it will be codified into law after legislation. It is worth mentioning here that Prime Minister Imran Khan had issued stern warning to profiteers, saying the state would “make an example out of you.” The law minister also revealed that an antismuggling ordinance will also be introduced in parliament soon. “As per this (anti-smuggling) ordinance, we will primarily target undeclared routes for smuggling of foreign currencies and essential commodities such as sugar, w heat and medicines,” Naseem explained. He also said that the eventual parliamentary act will contain checks and balances to assist the government in the implementation of the law. “Our district administrations have information about these things. The bill will let us coordinate with district administrations and customs staff around the country to identify these individuals. At the same time, if this work isn’t done by relevant authorities, the law secretary w ill summon them by issuing a dereliction report — which will then be forwarded to their departments for further disciplinary action,” Farogh Naseem said, adding this system of checks and balances will compel authorities to take their responsibilities seriously
