The Lahore High Court on Thursday suspended the decision of federal Cabinet regarding amendment in National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) Act ignoring recommendation of the Council of Common Interest (CII). Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali shah passed this order on a petition of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Secretary General Jahangir Tareen and called the concerned record on July 27.
The CJ also sought appearance of senior officers of the CII and Ministry of Water and Power on next date of hearing. The petitioner through Barrister Mustafa Sherpao told the court that the CII in its 31st meeting deferred a bill for amendment in Sections 13, 14 and 16 of the Nepra Act. He said the CII expressed concern over the bill as it aimed at clipping powers of the Nepra. He said the council proposed a consultation with chief ministers of all provinces.
However, the counsel said the cabinet ignored the council's recommendation and approved the amendment. He argued that amendment could not be introduced without the approval of the CII. He said the impugned act of the cabinet amounted to bypassing the jurisdiction of the council. The chief justice expressed concern over the Cabinet's act and observed that the CII should be disbanded if its recommendations were not honoured.
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