SC rejects K-Electric report on power outages in Karachi

KARACHI, Aug 13 (INP): Supreme Court (SC) on Thursday has rejected a report submitted by K-Electric over continuous electricity load shedding in Karachi.

During the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Gulzar Ahmed remarked that power of half of the city was suspended after court orders over which, K-Electric alleged Pakistan State Oil (PSO) of not providing fuel to them.

The top judge said that you should have adopted some alternative way to overcome this crisis. Meanwhile, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) representative stated that K-Electric has capacity of storing 20 tonnes of fuel but it doesn’t preserve it.

Subsequently, the court has ordered scrutiny of the company who had purchased K-Electric and adjourned the hearing.

Earlier, SC had directed to register case against K-Electric over deaths in Karachi due to electrocution during Monsoon rain spell.

The CJP had also ordered to put name of K-Electric Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Monis Alvi on Exit Control List (ECL) and conduct audit of the company.

While expressing anger over prolonged electricity outages in the metropolis, the top judge reprimanded the concerned authorities and remarked that people are severely suffering from this issue.

K-Electric counsel responded that reason behind loadshedding is power theft. The CJP further asked why no action has been taken yet against the culprits to stop power theft.

Following the court directives, K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi moved Sindh High Court (SHC) for protective bail in two cases which was accepted for seven days against surety bonds of Rs 50,000.