LHC rejects pleas against subsidy withdrawal on electricity bills

Rejecting the petitions filed against the withdrawal of subsidy on electricity bills, the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday said that the federal government’s decision to withdraw the subsidy was a right one, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Pronouncing the verdict on 200 petitions, Justice Ali Baqar Najafi said that the decision would take effect from the day the notification for withdrawal of the subsidy was issued.

In its decision, the court said imposition or withdrawal of subsidy was part of the government’s policy, and that the court could not interfere in the affairs of the executive. “Therefore, the notification issued for the withdrawal of subsidy was as per law,” the court said.  

The government, LESCO and other power distribution companies had opposed these petitions, and had contended that imposing or withdrawing subsidy was the government’s prerogative, and that the court could not interfere in the government’s affairs.   

Reporter: Malik Ashraf