The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a constitutional petition against unannounced electricity and gas load-shedding, imposing a fine of Rs100,000 on the petitioner for approaching the court without first availing the relevant legal forum. Justice Khalid Ishaq issued a detailed 19-page judgment, holding that the petitioner had failed to seek redress through the appropriate forum before filing the petition. The court observed that no substantive evidence or legal grounds had been provided regarding load-shedding, electricity tariffs, line losses or energy policy matters. The judgment noted that complex issues such as the country’s energy crisis are best addressed through relevant institutions and policy-making bodies. Technical and policy matters, the court observed, fall within the domain of executive authorities and regulatory agencies rather than judicial intervention. The court emphasized that public-interest litigation is an important legal mechanism but must be exercised responsibly. It remarked that such petitions should not be motivated by publicity or mala fide intentions and that courts have a duty to discourage misuse of public-interest litigation to safeguard the administration of justice. Justice Khalid Ishaq further observed that petitions filed in the public interest must be based on verified facts. Applications founded on speculation, assumptions or bad faith cannot be entertained under the banner of public interest. The court added that judicial intervention is warranted only where there is a clear violation of fundamental rights. The judgment also revealed that the petitioner had submitted a certificate claiming that alternative legal remedies had already been exhausted. However, the court found the certificate to be false. To prevent the waste of judicial time and resources, the court directed the petitioner (Judicial Activism Panel) to deposit Rs100,000 with the Lahore High Court Bar Association’s dispensary and submit proof of payment to the Deputy Registrar within 45 days.
LHC bins load-shedding plea, fines petitioner Rs 100,000
Published on: June 5, 2026 3:38 AM