A petition challenging the federal government’s new solar net metering policy was filed on Friday before the Lahore High Court, seeking suspension of its implementation.

The case was heard by Justice Abid Hussain Chattha, who directed the respondents to submit replies before any interim relief is considered.

The petitioner has made the federal government, Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) parties to the case.

During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel requested an immediate stay on the enforcement of the policy. However, the court declined to issue an injunction at this stage and adjourned the hearing after seeking responses from the respondents.

Earlier, NEPRA notified new regulations replacing net metering with a net billing system, under which surplus solar power is purchased at around Rs11 per unit, compared to the earlier rate of about Rs27.

Federal Minister for Energy Sardar Owais Khan Leghari later told the National Assembly of Pakistan that the shift had been suspended on the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The statement was made during a session presided over by Deputy Speaker Ghulam Mustafa Shah.