KE put on notice over power outage during heatwave

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday ordered K-Electric to submit a plan to alleviate the impact of load-shedding during the ongoing heatwave in the metropolitan city.

A divisional SHC bench, comprising Justices Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan and Rashida Asad, issued the directives while hearing a petition filed by Jamaat-e-Islami against long duration power cuts by KE during the ongoing deadly heatwave in the megalopolis.

The counsel for the petitioner, Usman Farooq, argued that K-Electric was carrying out load-shedding in the city. In response, Barrister Abid Zuberi, representing the power utility, refuted these claims. However, the court acknowledged the distressing situation caused by the heatwave and ordered K-Electric to present a plan to address the issue by July 15. The court ordered KE to submit a comprehensive strategy aimed at mitigating the effects of load-shedding during heatwaves.

The petitioner sought a court order to KE to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, particularly during heatwaves. He also argued for exemptions from power cuts for consumers who regularly pay their bills on time.

Meanwhile, another SHC bench granted protective bail to Khalid Lund, a member of the National Assembly from the PPP, and his two sons, Noor Muhammad and Shahbaz Lund, in the murder case of journalist Nasrullah Gadani from Mirpur Mathelo. The accused must appear before the trial court within 15 days.

Meanwhile, the same SHC divisional bench ordered the de-sealing of shops in Nazimabad while hearing a petition filed by the KMC against the sealing of shops in the area.

Justice Zulfiqar observed that shopkeepers should deposit the additional rent with the rent controller, stating that the KMC was not authorised to collect the increased rent. The court then ordered the de-sealing of the shops.