The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that there was a need to impose an energy emergency in the country to fulfill the electricity demands of the people.
The bench also observed that the energy situation could improve by fast tracking establishment of power projects.
The directions came by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Gulzar Ahmed during the hearing of a suo motu case regarding prolonged load shedding in the country.
“There are always two approaches to deal with a matter. One is short-term and the other is long-term. We should go for the long-term power generation projects but in the meantime work should be accelerated on short-term projects,” remarked the chief justice.
He further maintained that the nation had high hopes from the institutions and these power distribution and generating institutions must come up to their expectations.
The bench reiterated for the enforcement of equitable power distribution to all and sundry.
The chief justice questioned whether the court’s orders were followed in letter and spirit for the distribution of electricity or not.
Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) Managing Director Zargham Khan replied that he had taken written reports from all power distribution companies.
However, the bench directed him to prepare a detailed chart describing district-wise details of the power distribution.
The bench was apprised that many of the factories in Punjab had established their own power plants to meet the needs of electricity.
The PEPCO MD said there were 29 Captive Power Plants functioning in different factories in Punjab that could generate some 1,100Megawatts of electricity.
To the bench’s query, he apprised that these plants could work full capacity on the provision of gas to them.
On submitting compliance report before the court, the MD said Punjab was being given 66 percent of total power generation.
He further added that KP had 16 percent, Sindh 12 and Balochistan had 6 percent share in the energy.
Attorney General Munir A Malik told the court that the elected government would clear the circular debt of around Rs 300 billion by June 30, adding that the remaining circular debt would be cleared in 60 days.
He further stated that the government believed in generating money on its own so that it would not have to borrow.
Malik said the government was generating money through bonds.
He categorically stated that there were no more discretionary funds of the prime minister, which the bench praised.
Later, the court directed the PEPCO MD to put up details of all districts, including Islamabad and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, regarding power distribution.
All chief executive officers of power distribution companies were also directed to help out the PEPCO MD in this regard and also ensure their presence during the next date of hearing.
The hearing was adjourned until July 1.