Expressing dissatisfaction over a report filed by Ministry of Water and Power on charging additional electricity bills to the consumers by power distribution companies, Islamabad High Court (IHC) proposed constituting an independent commission for audit of additional bills recovered from the consumers besides finding a solution to the matter.
IHC’s Justice Athar Minallah took up for hearing the case filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) MNA Asad Omar against overbilling by power distribution companies Thursday.
PTI’s counsel Farrukh Dall appeared in the court and told that report on over billing has been filed by government but the amicus curiae have not furnished the final report so far.
“Satisfaction cannot be expressed over the report on over billing filed by Ministry of Water and Power. An independent commission be constituted in connection with the amount collected by power distribution companies from the consumers on account of overbilling so that a solution could be found out,” the court remarked, adjourning the case hearing indefinitely.
PTI MNA Asad Omar and others had challenged in IHC the overbilling made by power distribution companies in the billing months of June and July 2014. Ministry of Water and Power, NEPRA and 11 power distribution companies have been made respondents in the petition.
The petitioners have prayed the court that power distribution companies had recovered Rs 20 billion from the consumers on account of overbilling which is sheer breach of fundamental rights of citizens.
