The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday restored Mehboob Ali as Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) Director Operations after suspending his suspension orders.
Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh passed the order on a petition filed by Mehboob Ali challenging his suspension. The court also sought reply from the Ministry of Water and Power, PEPCO and other respondents.
Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel Shahram Sarwar arguing before the court submitted that a case was registered by Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) against his client for illegal diversion of electricity and selling it to influential industrial consumers without holding an inquiry into the matter.
The counsel pointed out that his client was suspended on directions of the PEPCO managing director (MD), a day before registration of a case against him.
He submitted that his client was innocent as the trial court had granted bail to him while holding that allegations levelled against the accused could not be proved by the FIA.
He contended that the PEPCO MD did not have any authority to intervene in affairs of the LESCO and added that the LESCO board of
governors had powers to make appointments and suspensions in it.
He contended that suspension orders of his client were illegal as per rules and regulations and pleaded the court to set aside the orders.
The court after hearing initial arguments suspended the suspension orders and issued notice to the ministry, PEPCO, LESCO and other respondents besides adjourning the matter.
