Incident Details
During a hearing regarding reserved seats filed by the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC), the Supreme Court of Pakistan faced a power outage on Monday. The outage occurred while the proceedings were underway, causing disruption in the courtroom.
Response from Lawyers and Chief Justice
Faisal Siddiqui, representing the SIC, informed Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa about the electricity issue. He mentioned that the power supply had been cut off, prompting the chief justice to inquire why the generator wasn’t activated. Although the television and lights were functional, the courtroom’s air conditioners were not operating, as noted by CJ Isa.
Worsening Power Situation in Pakistan
The power outage incident comes amidst scorching hot weather in various cities of Pakistan. Citizens are enduring prolonged load shedding, with power supply being suspended for up to 18 hours a day in some areas. This has led to widespread frustration and protests across cities like Karachi and Peshawar.
Government Response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to minimize load shedding through better management, especially considering the public’s discomfort during hot weather. Karachi’s power supplier, Karachi-Electric, has emphasized the importance of bill payments for ensuring uninterrupted electricity provision.
Statements from Energy Minister
Energy Minister Awais Leghari has acknowledged the ongoing power outages, particularly on loss-making feeders. He has instructed power distribution companies (Discos) to enhance their performance and reduce the duration of load shedding.
The incident highlights the challenges faced by Pakistan in ensuring reliable electricity supply and the need for effective measures to address the issue.
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