LHC Dismisses Loadshedding and Gas Shortage Petition, Imposes Rs. 100,000 Fine
The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a public interest petition seeking judicial intervention in electricity loadshedding, gas shortages, and energy sector management, ruling that such matters fall under the authority of specialized regulators and policymakers rather than the judiciary.
In a detailed judgment, Justice Khalid Ishaq held that courts cannot assume the role of regulatory bodies or replace the decisions of institutions such as NEPRA and OGRA in matters involving technical, financial, and policy considerations.
The court also imposed a fine of Rs. 100,000 on the petitioner, describing the case as unsupported by sufficient evidence and lacking legal merit. The amount must be deposited into the Lahore High Court Bar Association’s dispensary fund within 45 days. However, the order has been suspended for 30 days to allow the petitioner to file an appeal.
The judgment emphasized that public interest litigation remains an important legal tool but should only be used for genuine public causes supported by credible evidence. The court cautioned against using such petitions to pursue publicity or advance unverified allegations.
The petition, filed by the Judicial Activism Panel (JAP), sought court declarations against electricity and gas shortages, uninterrupted utility supplies for courts, hospitals, and public institutions, as well as inquiries and accountability proceedings against officials allegedly responsible for the energy crisis.
The court found that the petition relied largely on broad claims and failed to make use of legal remedies available under the regulatory frameworks governing NEPRA and OGRA.
Justice Ishaq further observed that issues relating to energy pricing, procurement, distribution, and sector oversight require specialized expertise and executive decision-making. The judgment warned that excessive judicial involvement in such matters could create administrative and economic complications.
Following the ruling, Judicial Activism Panel Chairman Advocate Azhar Siddique announced plans to challenge the decision before a higher court, maintaining that the petition was intended to highlight public concerns over ongoing power and gas shortages affecting consumers across the country.
