The Lahore High Court (LHC) has dismissed a petition challenging unannounced electricity and gas load-shedding, ruling that the case lacked sufficient evidence and was not supported by credible facts.
In its detailed judgment, the court stated that the petition was baseless and failed to provide the necessary proof to support the claims being made. As a result, the court imposed a fine of Rs100,000 on the Judicial Activism Panel, the organization that filed the petition, for wasting the court’s valuable time.
The court emphasized that matters related to electricity and gas regulation fall under the authority of specialized regulatory bodies. It noted that issues concerning energy supply, tariffs, and distribution are primarily the responsibility of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA), rather than the judiciary.
According to the judgment, public interest litigation should be based on verified information and strong evidence. The court observed that such petitions should not be filed merely on assumptions, speculation, or for publicity purposes. It stressed that courts must focus on genuine cases that involve clear legal questions and public interest concerns supported by facts.
The ruling also highlighted the importance of using proper legal channels when raising concerns about utility services. Citizens and organizations were encouraged to approach the relevant regulatory authorities before seeking judicial intervention.
Despite dismissing the petition, the court granted the petitioner the right to challenge the decision. The Judicial Activism Panel has been given 30 days to file an appeal if it wishes to pursue the matter further through the legal process.
The judgment reinforces the principle that public interest cases must be well-documented and supported by evidence before they can be considered by the courts.
