The Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Chairman/CEO of Diamond International Corporation Limited, Asif Inam, have taken legal action to address the ongoing electricity crisis in Pakistan. On Tuesday, they filed a petition under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, requesting the Supreme Court to direct the federal government to take immediate and effective measures to tackle the electricity emergency and to implement the ‘2020 Report’ in its entirety, in the pursuit of fairness and justice.
The petitioners underscored the unconstitutional procurement of electric power for the citizens of Pakistan, which has been conducted without competitive bidding. This violation of the constitution has raised concerns about the provision of electricity as a basic right guaranteed under Article 9, questioning whether its supply should be ensured at the least cost basis.
Additionally, the petitioners highlighted the paramount importance of the ‘Committee for Power Sector Audit, Circular Debt Resolution and Future Roadmap’ (the 2020 Report), which recommended actions such as conducting a forensic audit and recovering excess payments made to Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
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The petitioners urged the Supreme Court to declare the responsibility of the Government of Pakistan to ensure the supply of electricity on a least cost basis to the citizens. They also sought the declaration of nullity for the 1994, 2002, and 2015 policies regarding the disposal of state resources without competitive bidding. Furthermore, they called for a detailed forensic audit of all IPPs, which could potentially uncover irregularities, and the full implementation of the 2020 Report.
The petitioners hope that the Supreme Court will address the pressing issues surrounding the electricity crisis and provide just and equitable relief in this matter.
