SHC orders end to unannounced power cuts in Sukkur

SUKKUR: The Sindh High Court’s Sukkur bench on Friday restrained authorities from carrying out unannounced power outages and ordered an immediate end to practices including removal of transformers and electricity lines in affected areas in Skkur.

In its ruling, the court also barred power utilities from charging consumers for transformer repairs and ruled that cutting electricity across entire localities over non-payment by some users was unlawful.

The court said that prolonged load-shedding was also disrupting water supply systems in several areas, according to submissions made during the hearing.

SHC Judge Justice Amjad Hussain observed that disconnecting electricity for an entire area due to a few defaulters lacked legal justification, and questioned the practice of recovering repair costs from paying consumers despite regular billing.

The court directed the Sukkur Electric Power Company chief to take notice and ensure implementation of the court’s orders.