ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that there was a need to impose energy emergency in the country to fulfill the electricity demands of people. The court also observed that while using the fast track for the establishment of power projects the energy situation could improve.
The directions came by a three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and Justice Gulzar Ahmed during the hearing of a suo motu case regarding prolonged power loadshedding in the country.
“There are always two approaches to deal a matter. One is short-term and the other is long-term. We should go for the long-term power generation projects but in the meantime work should be accelerated on short-term projects,” remarked the chief justice.
He further maintained that the nation had high hopes from the institutions and these power distribution and generating institutions must come up to their expectations.
The bench reiterated for the enforcement of equitable power distribution to all and sundry.
The chief justice questioned whether the court’s orders were followed in full letter and spirit for the distribution of electricity or not.
Managing Director Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) Zargham Khan replied that he had taken written reports from all the power distribution companies. However, the bench directed him to prepare a detailed chart describing the district-wise details of the power distribution.
The bench was apprised that many of the factories in Punjab had established their own power plants to meet the needs of electricity.
The MD PEPCO told that there were 29 Captive Power Plants functioning in different factories in Punjab that could generate some 1100 Megawatts of electricity.
On a bench's query, he apprised that these plants could generate the full capacity on the provision of gas to them.
On Submitting Compliance report before the court, MD PEPCO stated that Punjab was being given 66 per cent of total power generation.
He further added that Khyber Pakhtukhwa had 16 per cent, Sindh 12 and Balochistan had 6 per cent share in the energy. Attorney General Munir A. Malik apprised to the court that the current elected government would clear circular debt of around Rs300 billion till June 30 adding that the remaining circular debt would be cleared in 60 days.
He further stated that the government believes in generating money at its own so that it should not borrow money from anyone.
Malik while responding to the bench's query stated that the government was generating money through bonds. He categorically stated that there were no more discretionary funds of the Prime Minister which was praised by the bench.
Later, the court directed the MD PEPCO to put up details of all the districts including Islamabad and Azad Kashmir regarding the power distribution before the bench.
All the Chief Executive Officers of power distribution companies were also directed to help out MD PEPCO in that regard and also ensure their presence during the next date of hearing and adjourned further hearing till July 1.