ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) has admitted Jamaat-e-Islami’s petition challenging fuel price adjustment surcharges in electricity bills for hearing after overruling objections raised by the Registrar’s Office.
During the proceedings, Justice Jamal Mandokhail noted that taxes collected through electricity bills contribute to the national treasury. Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi highlighted that NEPRA holds hearings on electricity tariffs and questioned whether Jamaat-e-Islami had previously raised concerns during those proceedings.
Justice Rizvi acknowledged that electricity theft significantly contributes to line losses but recognized Jamaat-e-Islami’s efforts in campaigning against it. The petitioner’s counsel argued that multiple surcharges and taxes, including the Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA), are being imposed through electricity bills, placing an undue financial burden on consumers.
The counsel clarified that the petition specifically challenges certain surcharges and the FPA, prompting the court to integrate this case with the ongoing Independent Power Producers (IPPs) case for a comprehensive review.
After hearing the initial arguments, the SC accepted Jamaat-e-Islami’s petition against fuel price adjustment surcharges and decided to proceed with the case alongside the IPPs matter.
