The Peshawar High Court (PHC) on Wednesday ruled that the provision of free-of-cost electricity to the Wapda employees was illegal and unconstitutional, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

In the detailed verdict in a case concerning unannounced loadshedding, the PHC also said that not supplying electricity to those paying the bills was an uncivilised act.

Around 48 percent people do not pay their bills but the Pesco (Peshawar Electricity Supply Company) is responsible for ensuring supply the 52 percent paying the bills, the court said. 

The Wapda and the Pesco were also responsible for the people not disbursing their monthly bills, it said. The Pesco should act such individuals, the court added.

Explaining the reasons behind ruling against the provision of free electricity, the eight-page judgment authored by PHC Chief Justice Waqar Seth notes that the Wapda employees give illegal connections to others and charge money for that.

Instead of the free-of-cost power, the verdict, read that they should get money for the sanctioned number of units [as part of salary as an allowance] while also collecting the bills from them.

Grilling the Pesco over its performance, the PHC said uninterrupted power was being ensured in areas with zero recovery as the relevant authorities did not have any writ there.

Power supply must be ensured to those who are paying the bills, the court ordered, adding that police should file case against the Wapda/Pesco authorities on people’s complaints.