Free power for WAPDA workers unconstitutional: PHC

PESHAWAR:

The Peshawar High Court (PHC) has termed provision of free electricity to the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) employees as illegal and unconstitutional.

This was directed by the PHC in a verdict on the unannounced load-shedding in the province.

In the seven-page, detailed verdict, written by the PHC Chief Justice Waqar Seth, the court has ordered Wapda to provide uninterrupted power to consumers who pay their utility bills on time.

Consumers who are clearing their utility bills should not be penalised because of defaulters. It further added that the responsibility of recovering utility bill payments from defaulters rested with Wapda and the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco).

The PHC asked Pesco consumers to file cases against the utility if they face load-shedding despite clearing their electricity bills.

Moreover, the power utilities have been ordered to stop the provision of free power to Wapda employees, terming it as illegal and unconstitutional.

The high court asked authorities to start receiving electricity charges as per defined rates per unit.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2020.