CJ raises eyebrows over loadshedding despite payment to IPPs

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Monday sought a report over the payments released to the independent power producers (IPPs) during the hearing over the suo moto notice taken of prolonged and un-announced loadhedding in the country , DawnNews reported.

A three-member bench of the apex court comprising of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Gulzar Ahmed heard the case .

During the hearing, the chief justice remarked that despite the release of payment made by the government to IPPs there was no significant change in the supply of electricity.

On a bench's query regarding the supply and demand of electricity to the port city of Karachi, Managing Director Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) Zargham Ishaq Khan apprised the bench that Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) was an independent private company and does not fall under the umbrella of PEPCO.

He further said that PEPCO had an agreement of providing 650 Megawatts to KESC while rest of the electricity was generated by the KESC by itself adding that the KESC also had as many as three Independent Power Plants working for the generation of electricity.

If KESC is generating to meet its demand, this is commendable, the Chief Justice remarked.

However, the bench issued notice to the Chief Executive Officer KESC to present report regarding the supply, generation and demand of electricity for Karachi.

Meanwhile, the bench noted that there was a dire need to overcome the power theft in many areas of the country.

The bench remarked that those who pay their bills regularly should not suffer because of electricity and gas thieves.

Later, the bench summoned chief secretaries of all the four provinces, finance secretary and the CEO of KESC.

The bench also directed the chief secretaries to appear before the court or have the respective Advocate Generals appear on their behalf.

The court stated that equal distribution of gas should be ensured and theft should be stopped.

Meanwhile, the bench also sought details of gas distribution and theft from the MDs of Sui Southern and Sui Northern Gas companies and adjourned further hearing of the case till July 11.