Karachi: The Sindh High Court (SHC) remarked, “We understand all what is going on in Karachi,” as it took up a petition filed by nine town chairmen from Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) challenging the ongoing load-shedding in the city. During Monday’s hearing, the court issued notices to K-Electric and other concerned parties, seeking their responses on the matter.
Justice Faisal Kamal Alam remarked how the loadshedding is going on in city. We all live in this city and we understand it all. We understand it what K-Electric is doing in the city. We have estimation about the difficulties being faced by the citizens. But this case should have gone before constitutional bench.
Counsel for the petitioners Muhammad Vawda advocate took the plea regular bench has already heard case of this nature. We want declaration and not the order. K-Electric is observing load shedding for 18 hours against its policy.
The counsel further told the court the petitioners filed complaint with NEPRA. No decision on complaint has been given so far. NEPRA be ordered to take action against K-Electric for observing undue load-shedding. Superior courts have observed that electricity is basic right of the people under constitution. But K-Electric is not ready to accept constitutional, legal or any restriction.
According to counsel of petitioners federal government has been held responsible for supply and production of electricity. NEPRA has already maintained that load shedding being observed by K-Electric is against the law.
The counsel told the court those consumers are being affected who pay bills regularly due to load shedding by K-Electric in proportion to line losses. NEPRA declared this act of K-Electric illegal . According to NEPRA this is responsibility of K-Electric to ensure supply of electricity uninterrupted and without any interval.
The court was further told that weather is very hot and it is immensely needed at this time that electricity supply is not suspended.
The court while issuing notice to K-Electric and others has directed regional head of NEPRA to appear before it in person on July 25.
