SC overturns PHC’s decision on uninterrupted electricity to bill-paying customers

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday annulled the decision of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) to provide uninterrupted electricity to the customers paying bills regularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

A three-member SC bench, headed by Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan, accepted the appeal of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) against the decision of the PHC.

“The PHC’s order to end loadshedding is against the law. People affected by loadshedding should approach the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra),” the Supreme Court in its ruling said.

“In the law, Nepra and Tribunal Forums have been established against Discos. The High Court cannot issue orders directly while the forum concerned is there,” it added.

“The High Court ordered to file cases against the authorities in case of loadshedding. Loadshedding is a problem of the whole country. The cases against the Pesco officials will be unjustified,” Pesco’s lawyer Umar Aslam said.

“The court had asked for details of loadshedding in the previous order,” the respondent’s lawyer said.

“The High Court has said that electricity should be provided to the bill payers,” he added.

“Many technical points can also come to the fore in this matter. How will the court review that? What will be done about the feeders from which recovery is not taking place?” Justice Muneeb Akhtar had questioned.

Reporter: Babar Shahzad