The COVID-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) Act, 2021
The COVID-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) Act, 2021 was enacted for prevention of hoarding in respect to scheduled articles in an emergent situation resulting from the outbreak of Corona virus pandemic Covid-19 (as declared by World Health Organization to be a pandemic requiring multifaceted responses) and as hoarding contribute to adversities, in geometric progression, to the people at large, especially in circumstances of partial or complete lock down. Moreover, as Pakistan is a State Party to the International Health Regulations 2005, issued by the World Health Organization, according to which Pakistan is under a direct obligation to prevent, protect against, control and provide a public health response to international disease it became necessary to frame rules in this regard.
Under the COVID-19 (Prevention of Hoarding) Act, 2021, hoarding of products like milk, tea, sugar, spices and vegetables, red chili, matchsticks etc. (as described in the Schedule) is an offence punishable with simple imprisonment up to three years and fine. Furthermore, anyone who provides an information to an officer with regard to any act or acts of hoarding, which results in a conviction and release of funds into the government treasury, shall be entitled to an award equivalent to ten percent of the amount released to the government.
