The Lahore High Court has ruled that residential electricity cannot be disconnected over disputed dues from a separate industrial connection.
The decision provides protection to consumers with separate residential electricity accounts. It prevents authorities from using a paid domestic connection to recover disputed commercial liabilities.
Justice Jawad Hassan issued the ruling while hearing a petition filed by Ghazi Akhtar Khan. The court also directed authorities to avoid coercive action against his residential electricity connection.
Separate Connections Must Be Treated Independently
The Lahore High Court noted that the residential connection had its own meter. It also had a separate reference number and billing record.
The petitioner had regularly paid his residential electricity bills. The court therefore found no basis for using that connection to recover disputed industrial dues.
The court emphasized that a residential connection cannot be used as security for another connection’s liabilities. This applies even when both connections belong to the same individual.
Authorities cannot disconnect a fully paid domestic connection to recover disputed dues from an industrial connection. The ruling separates residential electricity services from unrelated commercial liabilities.
Electricity Recognized as a Basic Necessity
The Lahore High Court also highlighted the importance of electricity for daily life. It observed that electricity is a basic necessity connected with the right to life.
The court stressed the need for due process before authorities take further action. It directed officials to give all concerned parties an opportunity to present their position.
This requirement also applies to the petitioner involved in the case. Authorities must consider the relevant facts before making a final decision.
Authorities Given Two Weeks
The court directed the authorities to decide the matter within two weeks. Until that decision, no coercive action can be taken against the petitioner’s residential connection.
The order protects the domestic power supply while the dispute remains unresolved. It also establishes that separate electricity connections should not automatically be treated as one account.
The ruling could provide guidance in similar electricity disputes involving residential and industrial connections. It emphasizes the importance of separate billing records and payment histories.
For consumers, the decision highlights the importance of maintaining proper electricity payment records. Separate meters and reference numbers can help establish the independent status of different connections.
The Lahore High Court’s ruling does not settle the disputed industrial dues themselves. Instead, it prevents the residential connection from being used for recovery until the matter is properly decided.
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Authorities must now review the case within the timeframe set by the court. Any further action will depend on the decision reached after hearing the concerned parties.
