PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Thursday directed the Federal Board of Revenue, Federal Finance Division and Ministry of National Health Services to submit replies in a writ petition challenging amendment made to the Federal Excise Act, which had resulted in reduction of prices of locally-manufactured cigarettes.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Ghazanfar Khan directed the respondent officials to furnish reply within seven days.
The court also asked the petitioner’s lawyer to file a rejoinder to the respondents’ replies before February 7, the next date of the hearing. The petitioner believed the price reduction would expose everyone, including children, to smoking and affect the local tobacco industry.
The court had on previous hearing stopped the federal government from acting on an amendment made to Federal Excise Act, which had resulted in cut in prices of locally-manufactured cigarettes.
The writ petition was filed by a resident of Swabi, Hameed Khan through his lawyer Babar Khan Yousafzai. The petitioner has challenged amendments to the Federal Excise Act on multiple grounds including health factors.
Reports indicate that they tried to breach one of gates, harassed staff, and even scaled walls of premises
Nasir praised role of Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi, who controlled situation with tolerance
A fierce exchange of fire ensued, but culprits managed to escape under cover of darkness
Police said booked leaders and BYC workers gathered at main Turbat Chowk
Mobile internet outages became common fixtures during protests by PTI since Imran was ousted in 2022
Bokhari emphasised that cases have been registered against "Fasadis", and no one will be spared
