 is set to hear a case filed by the Naanbai Welfare Association over naan and roti prices in the capital city.){kind=link}
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) will hear a case brought by the Naanbai Welfare Association. This group is challenging a recent decision to lower the prices of naan and roti in the city. The Naanbai Welfare Association’s president filed a petition with the IHC, disputing the official prices set by the controller general for these items.
Owners of tandoors (where naan and roti are made) believe that the new prices are too low and were set without their input. According to the recent changes, the price of roti dropped from Rs. 25 to Rs. 16, and naan from Rs. 30 to Rs. 20. The tandoor owners think these reduced prices are unfair.
The association pointed out that the cost of making roti is at least Rs. 27, while the cost of making naan is at least Rs. 30. Given this, they argue that the recently set prices are too low to cover their production costs, making it hard for their businesses to stay afloat.
The Naanbai Welfare Association noted that under the Price Control Act, any changes to price controls must involve discussions with relevant stakeholders. They argue that the Controller General’s notification on April 15 to lower the prices of roti and naan in Islamabad was made without proper consultation.
As a result, the association has asked the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to cancel this price change notification and bring back the previous prices for roti and naan. This legal challenge comes as the Muttahida Nanbai Roti Association of Punjab rejected similar orders to lower prices in the Punjab province. The association issued a 96-hour ultimatum, demanding a reduction in flour prices, threatening a province-wide strike if their demands aren’t met.
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Their demands include setting the price of a 20kg flour bag at Rs. 1,600, so roti can be sold for Rs. 16, and the price of fine flour at Rs. 7,500, so naan can be priced at Rs. 20. However, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz recently announced that roti prices across the province would be reduced to Rs. 16. This decision has caused controversy and has been met with legal challenges from stakeholders in the baking industry.