ISLAMABAD – The Federal Constitutional Court has dismissed an appeal filed by Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) over average electricity billing for a private laboratory, upholding an earlier decision by the Lahore High Court (LHC).
The case concerned Lesco’s decision to charge the laboratory an average electricity bill after its electricity meters reportedly developed faults.
The court’s ruling came after questions were raised about who should bear responsibility when a meter owned by the power distribution company becomes defective.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Aamer Farooq heard the case. During the proceedings, Justice Farooq questioned the basis for holding the consumer responsible for the faulty meter, noting that the meter belonged to Lesco and that the consumer had not been accused of tampering with it.
Lesco’s counsel argued that both the laboratory’s main and backup meters were defective, making average-based billing necessary.
However, the laboratory’s lawyer challenged this position, referring to a fact-finding report that stated the backup meter was not defective.
The laboratory’s counsel further explained that when the main meter develops a fault, the backup meter begins operating in its place. This, the lawyer argued, was significant in determining whether average billing was justified in the case.
After hearing the arguments, the Federal Constitutional Court dismissed Lesco’s appeal and maintained the Lahore High Court’s decision.
