Karachi: The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) on Saturday directed the Karachi Electric Supply Company (K-electric) to end the menace of unannounced load-shedding in the city and submit load-shedding schedule in the court on May 20.
The hearing of the case regarding unannounced load-shedding was held at the Supreme Court Karachi Registry. K-Electric Chief Executive Tayyab Tareen and HESCO Chief Raham Ali appeared in the court.
Expressing annoyance over unannounced long-hours load-shedding, the top court sought from the K-Electric chief who directed you to conduct unannounced load-shedding. The top court judge further remarked would it be good if people are punished for any issue facing by the K-Electric.
Tayyab Tareen informed the apex court that the electricity has 18 power plants and currently two are out of order. He said efforts are being made to repair the fault but due to non-availability of some parts of equipment repairing was taking time. He informed the court that the missing parts have been imported and soon the two out of order plants will be operational.
The chief justice remarked there should be a backup system to accommodate fault in the power plant. He remarked didn’t you feel sympathy for the poor public boiling in the heat. The top court judge further sought should we leave the public on your mercy, adding you don’t see the news regarding long-hours load-shedding and on media, which has put the citizens in hell.
The chief justice then sought who was responsible of proving a smooth supply of power to the citizen of Karachi.
He further sought how many hours load-shedding are being practiced currently, upon which, Tayyab Tareen responded, “we have load-shedding schedule of only some areas.”
He informed the court that the province generating 2,650 megawatt electricity whereas the city needs 3,200 megawatt.
The top court judge then asked which authority permits K-Electric for load-shedding. The chief justice further remarked why not action should be taken against you for unannounced load-shedding.
The court while naming HESCO chief remarked if load-shedding in Hyderabad didn’t within 12 hours the court will order cut down the power supply of the HESCO chief and supply of power through generators will also be prohibited.
The top court judge also directed HESCO chief to take action power thieves and present a comprehensive plan in this connection in the court.
