PESCO’s bifurcation challenged

Petitioners claim the decision only had political benefits

PESHAWAR: Employees of the power authority on Tuesday filed a petition in the Peshawar High Court, challenging the federal government’s decision to bifurcate the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) to set up a separate Hazara Electric Supply Company (Hesco).

A two-member bench of the Peshawar High Court (PHC) comprising Chief Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Syed Afsar Shah heard the case filed by the All Pakistan WAPDA Hydroelectric Workers Union (APWHWU).

In its petition, filed through senior lawyer Abdul Latif Afridi, the APWHWU argued that there was no technical or economical reason for bifurcating Pesco save political.

Afridi added that some elements were bent on creating a separate company for Hazara. He argued that this was not feasible since 603,701 consumers of the 3.29 million consumers in the region were fed by Pesco through K-P.

“The administrative cost will rise three folds and the new company will be a burden for the consumers,” Afridi argued.

The counsel added that the chairman of Pesco’s board has already opposed the proposed bifurcation and the creation of Hesco as it will not be feasible and ultimately cause consumers to suffer.

“It is against the interests of public policy,” the lawyer contended.

The petitioners urged the court to restrain the federal government from creating Hesco and bifurcating Pesco.

As interim relief, the court was asked to stop the process of finalising the bifurcation.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 9^th, 2018.