Irfan Aligi
Sindh High Court (SHC) has given a December 10 deadline to Sindh government for bringing new legislation on the prevention of hazardous and carcinogenic chewable Gutka and similar things.
The SHC had heard a petition filed by lawyer Muzammil Mumtaz in this context, Monday. SHC two member bench comprising Justice Muhammad Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Abdul Mubeen Lakho heard the petition. Sindh Secretary Health and others officials concerned had appeared before the court.
The SHC while giving a deadline of December 10 for the onward legislation on prohibition of sale of Gutka and other similar hazardous things asked the provincial government to bring new law on this and also directed to continue with crackdown against the seller, vendors and manufacturers of Gutka, etc.
Earlier, the SHC had also directed Pakistan Rangers Sindh to take action against Gutka manufacturing mafia and has during this latest hearing asked the Rangers Director General to assist Police and other law enforcement authorities to eliminate the menace of Gutka.
The SHC had also in previous orders asked the Pakistan Coast Guards to play their role in this very context. SHC has also ordered Sindh Police Inspector general to take action against Police officers and personnel involved in sale, manufacturing and other types of activities pertaining to Gutka.
The higher court had also in remarks said that it was very unfortunate that LEAs bring a faction of confiscated Gutka quantity say they confiscate 17000 tons but show just 6000 tons of Gukta.
