The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought the response of the federal government on two separate petitions related to load shedding and inflation as people across the country are troubled by prolonged power cuts.
The Judicial Activism Panel filed two petitions on loadshedding and inflation, which were considered by Justice Shahid Karim today.
petition was filed between reports The energy deficit across the country is over 7,000 MW.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of PML-N, Press conference On Monday, it was said with federal ministers that loadshedding would be reduced to three and a half hours by Tuesday. The former petroleum minister had also promised that the duration would be reduced to less than three hours by June 16. “By June 30, it will be less than two hours,” he had said.
During the hearing, Justice Karim said that it is being said that the energy crisis will end by July. He addressed the petitioner’s counsel Azhar Siddiqui and said: “Why is it that all your arguments have been decided before my court?”
The lawyer replied, “It is a matter of public interest. What can I say?”
He said there were court decisions related to the matters raised today and that “somehow, these things need to be fixed”.
“That is why it is said that judgments on such matters should not be issued,” Justice Karim remarked.
To that, the lawyer urged the court to “ask the government what to do about inflation”.
“This inflation is spreading all over the world. A food crisis is now looming,” the judge said. “What can be done throughout this cycle?”
The lawyer drew Justice Karim’s attention to a previous case relating to haze and said that the judge had “exploited several things relating to the environmental issue”.
“It would be good if there is progress on this along with the work (pending arguments),” he said.
Thereafter, the judge sought a response from the federal government on power cuts and the Punjab government on inflation. Thereafter the hearing was adjourned for two weeks.
Government’s move to curb power cuts
According to dawn reportsLoad shedding in Lahore had worsened of late, with people reportedly facing power outages for six to eight hours a day.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif last Saturday presiding over the meeting To discuss load shedding and directed the concerned officers to come up with an ’emergency plan’ with the aim of reduction in power load shedding within 24 hours.
government on Tuesday announced A federal cabinet meeting followed a series of measures to conserve electricity amid severe shortages across the country.
Important measures finalized in the meeting included drastic reduction in foreign travel of officials, 40 per cent reduction in fuel quota for government employees and restoration of Saturday leave for government employees.
The Prime Minister had also formed a committee to explore the merits and demerits of offices that have introduced a work-from-home policy for Friday.
Proposal to close the market at 8:30 pm a day before in an effort to conserve energy came up for discussion During the recently reconstituted National Economic Council (NEC) meeting.
Later, Power Minister Khurram Dastagir Khan told a press conference that the PM had sought the cooperation of the chief ministers of all the four provinces on the measure under consideration.
He had said that the provinces would have to come back to the center after their own consultations about energy conservation measures, including early closure of markets. “We have sought maximum support and they have promised full cooperation in whatever capacity.”
The minister had also said that the government is contemplating the provision of a five kilowatt solar package on installments to all the consumers receiving salary through cheque.