ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought a comprehensive report from the federal government and the National Electric and Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) regarding unannounced load-shedding in Sindh. A three-judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, heard a suo moto on excessive and unannounced load-shedding in Sindh.
The bench expressing dissatisfaction rejected the reports of the federal government and Nepra. The CJP said that the reports did not give a clear picture, adding neither the federal nor the provincial governments were doing anything to address the issue.
"The federation is not fulfilling its responsibility," he remarked.
The chief justice questioned who controlled the K-Electric and how many were its shareholders. He said according to the media reports the distribution of power in Karachi and Balochistan was being controlled from Mumbai.
However, the K-Electric's counsel dismissed the notion that the K-Electric was being controlled from Mumbai. He said that the news about the matter was wrong. Justice Gulzar stated that corporate affairs were often tangled and someone else was usually reaping the benefits.
"We have concern over the K-Electric shareholders," the CJP said, and asked who Shan Ashri was? Is he a Pakistani?
Shan Ashri, who had been present in the courtroom, came up to the rostrum and told the court his full name was Shan Abbas Ashri, and he was a loyal Pakistani. The bench was told that people in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had invested US$400 million.
The chief justice observed that the story did not end here as someone else was behind, adding, ultimately it would be divulged that they had connection in Mumbai. In Karachi, who is getting how much electricity is controlled from Mumbai.
The chief justice said everyone was taking advantage of the government's weakness. There is a lack of seriousness among the government departments, adding the K-Electric has hijacked the people and become a master, and it was not providing relief to the people of Sindh.
"Once again it increased power price."
The K-Electric's counsel informed the court that the federal government had increased the electricity price all over the country. He said that the National Transmission and Despatch Company and the PTDC services were zero, despite their budget being in billions of rupees. Irked at the situation, the CJP said all the Nepra and Power Division employees should be fired.
"There is no point of having such employees."
Justice Gulzar said that the people were being allowed to exploit State institutions.
"The government does not have the capabilities. All institutions are taking advantage of the government's shortcomings," he said.
The chief justice also remarked that half of Karachi was without electricity at night.
"Every day, I get calls and messages, saying load-shedding is happening three times a day."
He said the power utility was a defaulter and should be sent to jail.
"Provision of electricity is a basic right," he noted, adding that a heavy fine could be imposed on the company.
To this, the KE's lawyer responded by saying power supply had been affected during June and July due to a shortage of oil. Justice Faisal Arab said over the passage of time Karachi had expanded, but the power generation for it had not increased. The case was adjourned for four weeks.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.