Ministry, Nepra, others asked to file replies

WAQAR LILLAH

ISLAMABAD: The Islama-bad High Court on Tuesday directed Ministry of Water and Power, National Electric Power Regularity Authority (Nepra), Water & Power Development Authority (Wapda) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) to submit comprehensive replies in response to a petition challenging Neelum-Jhelum surcharge which has been reflected in monthly electricity bills. A single-member bench of Justice Athar Minallah heard a petition filed by a resident of Islamabad, Imdad Hussain, through his counsel Yasir Mahmood Chaudhry.

During the course of proceedings, the court, while issuing notices to all respondents in the matter, directed them to submit a comprehensive reply within 15 days to explain why the NJS surcharge is included in electricity bills despite the fact the NJS is an under-construction project.

Earlier, the petitioner prayed that the respondents’ imposition of Neelum-Jhelum Surcharge vide Notification SRO No.7 (1) 2008 dated 04.01.2008 w.e.f. 01.01.2008 up to 31.12.2015, was issued prematurely, illegally, without jurisdiction and abuse of power by the Federation.

The matter was adjourned sine die.