The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected the report submitted by K-Electric regarding continuous load shedding in Karachi.
During the hearing on Thursday, Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed remarked that the power supply to half of the city has been suspended following court orders on which K-Electric accused Pakistan State Oil of not providing the fuel, the Chief Justice said. “You should have found an alternative way to overcome this crisis,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, a representative of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) told the Supreme Court that K-Electric had the capacity to store 20 tonnes of fuel but did not keep it safe. The court then adjourned the hearing, ordering an inquiry into the company that bought K-Electric.
Earlier, the chief justice expressed resentment over the performance of the power utility and said that prolonged loadshedding was being carried out in the city and earth wires had been removed causing many incidents of electrocution, especially during rains.
He remarked that the infrastructure of the KE had been replaced and on the verge of collapse due to use of cheap material in order to make money which, he said, was being sent overseas for investment.
The CJP added that the firm that owned KE had become a defaulter in other countries and its management was facing jail terms and fines.
K-Electric’s lawyer replied that power theft was the main reason behind the load shedding. The Chief Justice further asked why no action has been taken against the culprits so far to curb power theft.
