ISLAMABAD: The Lahore High Court directed the Nepra chairman to listen to the petitioners and make a decision to Resolve Electricity Bill Appeals Within 21 Days.
Justice Raza Qureshi of the LHC considered the request made by Advocate Mian Abdul Mateen during the hearing on Monday.
This hearing coincides with caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar’s meetings over inflated bills following countrywide protests. Kakar is holding another important meeting today to discuss the issue of electricity prices and bills.
NEPRA, the Power Division, and Discos are expected to provide briefings for possible relief, theft, losses, and recoveries.
The PM led the initial round of the meeting in response to nationwide protests against frequent hikes in power tariffs and inflated bills.
The participants received briefings about the power ministry, Water & Power Development Authority (WAPDA), and Discos (distribution companies). They also deliberated on granting maximum relief to the public in their electricity bills.
After its conclusion, the interim premier shared details of the discussion on his ‘X’ account. He reported that the participants decided to form a task force comprising the energy and finance ministries to devise an action plan for providing relief to the people.
The task force will also address the issue of free units for government employees.
Interim PM Kakar announced that they will take urgent measures to reduce electricity consumption in government offices, and they will also hold consultations with the provinces tomorrow.
He pledged that the caretaker government will endeavor to deliver maximum relief to the people as soon as possible within its mandate.
PPP Asks Workers To Protest Strongly Against Inflated Electricity Bills
Following the uproar caused by inflated electricity bills that have deeply affected the already burdened consumers, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has instructed its party members to stage strong protests and represent the “voice of the people”.
In a directive issued to PPP workers on Sunday, the party’s Secretary General, Syed Nayyer Hussain Bokhari, instructed the workers to organize protests at the city union council and Tehsil levels.
He said, “PPP workers should amplify the people’s concerns and initiate protests against the escalated electricity tariffs,” emphasizing that the excessive electricity bills are a cause of distress for every citizen in the country.
However, the demand for a reduction in electricity tariffs and the removal of additional taxes on electricity bills has led to this call for protest, with demonstrators across the nation warning that they will withhold payment of the bills if their demands are not addressed.
Protests by citizens and traders have taken place in various cities nationwide. Political parties, including the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), have denounced the surge in tariffs and the imposition of extra taxes on power bills.
