ISLAMABAD, Oct 17 (INP) Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday stopped the distribution companies (DISCOs) from collecting additional charges on electricity bills.
IHC’s Justice Athar Minallah heard a petition submitted by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Asad Umar against additional charges on power bills.
Petitioner’s lawyer Farrukh Dal told the court that hike in power tariff by the distribution companies is violation of National Electricity Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) act. He prayed the court that additional charges collected from power consumers should be returned and action should be taken against those responsible.
Meanwhile, the judge stopped collection of bills and ordered the Ministry of Water and Power to submit a report within two weeks.
The court stated that distribution companies should charge electricity bills as per law as it is matter of basic rights.
Justice Athar Minallah issued notices to eleven distribution companies and sought reply from Attorney General as well.
Advocate Anwar Kamal and Babar Sattar have been named amicus curiae in the case who will table legal points before the court.
INP/
