JA Legal is pleased to share that the firm, through its Founding Partner, Barrister Junaid Ahmed, along with co-counsel and our strategic Partner Mr. Umar Ijaz Gilani, Advocate Supreme Court, filed a Writ Petition before the Lahore High Court, Rawalpindi Bench, on behalf of a major stakeholder in the blanket manufacturing industry, challenging the legality and transparency of proceedings conducted in relation to Tariff Rationalisation affecting the blanket sector by National Tariff Commission (‘NTC’).
The petition was instituted against, inter alia, the Federation of Pakistan through the Ministry of Commerce & Industries and the NTC, raising serious concerns regarding the non-disclosure of material portions of the impugned inquiry report, particularly the sections titled “Recommendations” and “Implications,” which directly affect the rights and commercial interests of industry stakeholders. The petition also highlighted that the petitioner, despite being an interested party and directly affected by the proposed tariff measures, was allegedly denied a meaningful opportunity of hearing and access to the material relied upon in the regulatory process.
The matter came up before the Honourable Mr. Justice Jawad Hassan, who, after hearing the counsels, recorded the submissions advanced on behalf of the petitioner, including the contention that the impugned conduct of the authorities was contrary to the principles of transparency, fairness, and access to information, and offended Article 19A of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973. The Court also noted reliance placed on precedent concerning the statutory duties of the National Tariff Commission in exercising its regulatory mandate in a fair, accountable, and transparent manner.
In the interim, the Honourable Court was pleased to issue notice to the respondents, direct the answering respondents to submit the relevant report and parawise comments before the next date of hearing, and further held that, since the petitioner had made out a prima facie arguable case and the balance of convenience tilted in its favour, no coercive measures shall be taken against the petitioner till the next date of hearing. The next date is 9th April 2026.
This matter reflects our firm’s continued strength in constitutional litigation, regulatory disputes, trade and tariff matters, and strategic industry representation before the superior courts throughout Pakistan. The proceedings further underscore the firm’s commitment to protecting due process rights, commercial fairness, and lawful regulatory governance for businesses operating in highly sensitive and policy-driven sectors.