The Lahore High Court observed that the government’s decision appeared “reasoned and rational” and was aimed at ensuring financial sustainability.
The Lahore High Court has dismissed a petition challenging the withdrawal of free electricity units for officers of the Water and Power Development Authority and other power distribution companies, describing the government’s decision as “reasoned and rational,” it emerged on Friday.
Justice Malik Javid Iqbal Wains of the LHC rejected the plea against a notification issued by the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) on December 5, 2023.
In a 14-page judgment, the court upheld the government’s decision, stating that the “measure has been adopted pursuant to a lawful policy decision and does not deprive the petitioners of any statutory entitlement.”
The court observed that the monetisation of free electricity units does not reduce basic pay or affect any vested service rights. It noted that the change only alters the manner in which a discretionary facility is provided by the department.
Since the benefit of free electricity units was not based on any statutory rule and remained under administrative control, the court held that its restructuring through a policy decision does not create any enforceable constitutional claim, according to the verdict.
“The measure appears reasoned and rational, aimed at ensuring financial sustainability while maintaining employee remuneration within lawful parameters,” the court observed.
It is pertinent to mention that power sector officers from BPS-18 to BPS-22 were previously provided a total of around 75 million electricity units collectively, costing approximately Rs4–4.5 billion annually.
Taking to his X account, Power Minister Awais Leghari welcomed the verdict, saying the abolition of free electricity units had been a “long-standing demand of the people”.
“Alhamdulillah, for the first time in Pakistan’s history, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, free electricity units for power sector employees have been abolished,” he stated.
He further added that the power sector would continue to take all necessary steps for the collective betterment of the country and its people.
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