Non-appearance in court: Power joint secretary fined for no-show

IHC issues fine after top bureaucrat fails to attend hearing as previously ordered by bench.

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday imposed a fine of Rs20,000 on the Water and Power joint secretary for failing to appear in the court.

On a petition filed by leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) alleging excessive electricity billing by the government, the court on October 17 sought a comprehensive report from officials of the water and power ministry and power distribution companies.

On Monday, Water and Power Joint Secretary Zargham Ishaq Khan failed to appear in court, prompting IHC Justice Athar Minallah to issue the fine.

Petitioners including Asad Umar, Arif Alvi and Shireen Mazari had contend that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority and electricity distribution companies had charged ‘unjustified and illegal amounts’ from consumers in the months of August and September by issuing inflated electricity bills.

Justice Minallah directed the joint secretary to deposit the fine before adjourning till December 15.

Petition

The petitioners have contended that throughout the world, utility services tariffs were set with the purchasing power of citizens in mind, but in Pakistan, power tariffs have gone far beyond the budget of a common man.

They maintained that excessive billing has also created problems for trade and industry as it has increased cost of production, which eventually reduces industrial growth, exports and economic development.

The petitioners’ counsel requested the court to direct the respondents to submit a detailed report on consumption and billing over the last year.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2014.