KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday issued notices to the secretary of the Power Division, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), and K-Electric over a petition challenging the disconnection of electricity in an entire Karachi neighbourhood.
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A two-judge constitutional bench, headed by Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed, also summoned a federal law officer for January 20 and directed the respondents to file their comments before the next hearing.
The petition, filed by Usama Ahmed Usmani, a resident of Data Nagar in Orangi Town, stated that he and his family had been paying electricity bills regularly. He contended that despite being classified as a “star customer” by K-Electric, the utility had disconnected power from a pole-mounted transformer on January 13, declaring the area a “high loss zone.”
Usmani argued that many residents, like him, were compliant with payments and should not be collectively penalised for the defaults of a few individuals. He said such actions violated the Nepra Act, the Consumer Service Manual 2021, and fundamental rights enshrined under Articles 4 and 25 of the Constitution.
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The petitioner emphasised that Section 21 of the Nepra Act 1997 obliges power utilities to provide electricity on a non-discriminatory basis and to adhere to regulatory performance standards. He sought a declaration that K-Electric’s action was illegal, unconstitutional, and without jurisdiction, and requested directives for immediate restoration of power to the affected area. The SHC will hear the case in its next session following the filing of comments by the respondents.