Residents move court against Bahria Town over inflated electricity bills

ISLAMABAD: Citizens have moved Islamabad High Court (IHC) against Bahria Town for overbilling and deductions for electricity generated through solar power.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has sought responses from the Bahria Town, Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) in this regard.

The petitioners who moved the court through their counsel Umar Ijaz called out major disparity between the electricity bills issued by LESCO and Bahria Town and the amount is so much that it became a revenue source for the housing society.

Furthermore, the petitioner argued that the residents approached Nepra about their concerns but to no avail. It claimed the petitioners’ agitation for fundamental rights was met with retaliatory measures by Bahria Town as the petitioners’ electricity meters were disconnected.

IHC Judge, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, who heard the petition stated: “Regulator/Nepra is expected to afford an opportunity of a hearing to the petitioners and take such measures in accordance with the law as are necessary before the next date of hearing.”

NEPRA is expected to provide a hearing for the petitioners and take necessary legal measures before the next hearing.

According to the petition, Bahria Town — Pakistan’s leading real estate developer — started generating power in 2002 without a lawful license, receiving electricity from the national grid and distributing it to residents. It said Bahria Town applied for an electricity distribution license in later years.

Another complain to Nepra led regulatory authority to instruct IESCO to supply electricity to the resident, but IESCO did not comply, leading to a show-cause notice that went unchallenged.

Last month, Bahria Town reportedly imposed excessive tariffs exceeding IESCO-approved rates by up to Rs 15.66 per unit, along with unjust adjustments and unauthorized service charges. The petition also highlights unauthorized deductions of 30 per cent from solar power users’ exported units.