LHC Rejects Petition on Electricity Charges, Upholds Government Tariff Policy

Lahore High Court Rejects Petition on Electricity Charges

A Lahore High Court ruling has dismissed a petition challenging capacity charges and electricity tariffs, stating that policy-making in the energy sector is under government jurisdiction.

Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad issued a six-page judgment on a petition filed by Ashba Kamran, asserting that the court cannot act as an appellate forum for economic or regulatory policies. The court also noted it cannot function as a regulator, auditor, or economist.

The ruling emphasized that judicial intervention in constitutional matters is justified only when unlawful actions are involved and courts must exercise restraint in administrative affairs. It further stated that ordering recovery of payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) is beyond judicial jurisdiction.