KARACHI: The Supreme Court Thursday sought the plan from federal government for uninterrupted supply of electricity in Karachi. "The Attorney General should inform the court about the policy to end the loadshedding in Karachi in next hearing after two weeks," Supreme Court bench at Karachi Registry stated when the court maintained that federal government should find out a solution to the electricity problems in the city.
A three-member bench of the SC headed by Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed taking up the case of electricity problems and the deaths of people due to electrocution in the metropolis. During the hearing, the CJP stated that electricity is shut in the whole area if there is any defaulter in it, which he observed should not be done.
The apex court also showed its annoyance over the continuous loadshedding by power utility of the city despite the earlier orders of the court. CJP said that this court took up the matter two days ago about power outages and yet the people are facing the power outages in the city. Chief Executive Officer (CEP) K-Electric (KE) Moonis Alvi appeared in the hearing and presented a report, which indicated that there is zero loadshedding in seventy five percent area of Karachi.
He submitted that loadshedding was carried out due to low gas pressure when CJP pointed out power supply was disconnected in Delhi Colony, Mahmoodabad and some areas of Defence yesterday. Chairman NEPRA told that he has brought list of stay order against KE, which involved Rs.40 billion rupees. He stated that power utility should return the amount to consumers against which it obtained stay orders from the courts.
He submitted that there are complaints in every project of KE. Faisal Siddiqui Advocate requested the court that forensic audit of KE should be carried out. CJP stated that there are complaints of over billing against KE and observed that heavy fine should be imposed on it. Chairman NEPRA said that KE obtains the stay order when fines are imposed on it.
Court put off the hearing of the case for two weeks, which would be held in Islamabad. Meanwhile, a written order of SC stated here on Thursday that all the unused land of the Civil Aviation Authority (the CAA) at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi including a plot of 130 Acres is being developed into a forest and the work on it has already started.
The Director General, CAA stated that no part of the civil aviation land at the Jinnah International Airport is going to be utilized for commercial purposes nor any commercial structure will be allowed to be constructed on it except installations required for the airport.
He stated that the land available with the CAA, which is laying un-used shall be converted into a forest and park for the use and recreation of the people of Karachi. As regards the land in Clifton, the Director General, CAA stated that an amount of Rs.150 million has already been allocated for developing the land into a park and a forest and experts in this regard have been engaged.
A plan has been prepared, which is at the stage of execution, he stated that execution was delayed on account of COVID-19. The work will be completed by undertaking fast track development within a period of six months. The Director General, CAA stated that a detailed plan of the CAA land at the Jinnah International Airport will be submitted before us on the next date of hearing.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020