In the wake of daily protests by the general public and businessmen against high electricity bills, a local lawyer approached the Supreme Co...
In the wake of daily protests by the general public and businessmen against high electricity bills, a local lawyer approached the Supreme Court and asked the federal government to completely remove Fuel Price Adjustment (FPA) charges and other surcharges from utility bills. requested to be directed to withdraw or at least reduce it to some extent.
Advocate Zulfikar Ahmed Bhutto filed a public interest petition in the Supreme Court to draw its attention to the huge bills sent by electricity companies to consumers during July-August,.
The petition said that during the last few days, electricity consumers in various cities of the country have come out on the streets against the FPA and other taxes in the bills as the dues for them have increased to unbearable levels.
Also Read: Lahore High Court: Order to deduct fuel adjustment from electricity bills and deposit remaining amount
Citing media reports, the petitioner also highlighted that consumers were burning their electricity bills during the ongoing protests in various cities and demanding immediate refund of FPA and other taxes and electricity. The distribution companies are vowing not to pay until the new bills are issued.
The petition expressed regret that instead of introducing people-friendly policies, the government is imposing heavy taxes on poor electricity consumers, which is causing serious problems in the lives of the middle class.
At a time when rising commodity prices have already made it difficult for families to make ends meet, massive fuel price adjustments and other taxes in electricity bills have broken the back of people.
The petition emphasized that majority of people earn Rs 15,000 to 20,000 per month and try to survive in rented houses in poor areas.
Read more: Prime Minister's announcement of exemption from fuel adjustment surcharge for 1 crore 71 lakh electricity consumers
The petitioner lamented that the authorities gave the impression to the people that the electricity bills were increased to such an extent due to pressure from the International Monetary Fund.
However, what is surprising is that on the contrary, the government is increasing the service perks like free fuel, house rent and medical facilities etc.
The petition said that recently the Punjab government has increased the financial incentives for the subordinate judiciary while on the other hand taxes are being imposed on the poor.
The petition also highlighted Article 25 of the Constitution, which guarantees equality to citizens, but lamented that this constitutional guarantee was not being ensured.
Also read: Preparing to collect additional Rs 64 billion from electricity consumers next month
Similarly, Article 25A states that education is the right of every child in the country, but children are being deprived of this right due to rising costs.
The petition added that Article 37 deals with promotion of social justice and eradication of social evils but its objective is frustrated by such 'unjustly heavy financial burden' on the poor through electricity bills. .
The petition also argued about the maintainability of the petition under Article 184(3) as people across the country are facing hardships and are being deprived of their fundamental rights as promised in the Constitution.
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