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Tuesday March 19, 2024

JI plea seeking K-Electric's privatisation disposed of

"It is not our concern, you have to see the law", CJP Bandial tells JI counsel

By Web Desk
June 06, 2023
Building of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. — AFP/File
Building of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. — AFP/File

KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday disposed of Jamaat-e-Islami's (JI) petition seeking K-Electric's privatisation on the basis of its withdrawal, observing that it was ineffective.

A three-member bench of the top court — headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Athar Minallah and Justice Ayesha A Malik — heard the plea. 

During the previous hearing, the CJP said that the Supreme Court would not interfere in economic affairs as it has no expertise in the domain, telling the petitioner's counsel that he could approach the relevant high court for the matter.

In today's hearing, CJP Bandial asked JI's counsel Rashid Rizvi if he wanted to continue the hearing of the petition.

At this, Rizvi replied: "Yes, this petition is still relevant. Over 20 million citizens of the city are being affected."

“It is not our concern, you have to see the law,” CJP remarked.

Justice Minallah added that “the plea has been non-maintainable under Article 184."

“Only the court remains when parliament fails,” said Rizvi

At this, the CJP remarked that parliament was an honourable institution and it should be strengthened.

“How could we cancel the privatisation, you should take the matter before Nepra [National Electric Power Regulatory Authority],” Justice Malik said.

KE — which is the sole private power utility company in Karachi — was formerly known as Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC).

It was privatised in 2005 for a sum of Rs16 billion to a Saudi-Kuwaiti group. In those days, the US dollar was valued at Rs59.75 in the inter-bank market.

Going by those rates, the company was privatised for $270 million.

The general perception was that privatisation will improve the financial condition of the company. In 2009, the company was sold to private equity firm Abraj Group with management control for Rs361 million.