LHC upholds govt decision to end free electricity units for Wapda, Discos officers

The Lahore High Court (LHC) has upheld the government’s decision to withdraw free electricity units for Grade-17 officers of Wapda and power distribution companies, declaring the policy lawful.

In a detailed 14-page judgment, Justice Malik Javed Iqbal Wain dismissed petitions filed by the GEPCO Engineers and Officers Association challenging the withdrawal of the benefit.

The court ruled that free electricity units were a service-related facility rather than a legal or fundamental right, and could be modified or withdrawn through policy decisions.

It observed that the petitioners failed to demonstrate that the benefit was backed by any statutory provision, adding that the government has the authority to make financial and administrative decisions, particularly in view of the power sector’s circular debt.

The judgment noted that courts cannot interfere in policy matters unless they are unconstitutional or unlawful, and emphasised limits on judicial intervention in executive decisions.

Petitioners had argued that a 2023 notification replaced free units with a fixed allowance and claimed the benefit was part of their employment terms. They also contended that continuing the facility for Grade-1 to Grade-16 employees made the policy discriminatory.

However, the court found no evidence of illegality or constitutional violation, noting that the benefit had been monetised rather than fully withdrawn and incorporated into salaries.

Following the ruling, the federal government welcomed the decision. Power Division Minister Awais Leghari said the move marked a policy shift in the power sector and aligned with reform efforts under the current administration.