The Sindh High Court on Tuesday directed the National Electronic Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to “take appropriate action in accordance with [the] law against K-Electric authorities” for prolonged loadshedding and excessive billing from city residents.

While disposing off a constitutional petition against K-Electric for billing its customers excessively and for being responsible for unannounced and prolonged loadshedding, a two-judge bench also directed the power regulatory authority to ensure the implementation of a Jan 22, 2016 order that had declared area-based load shedding illegal.

The bench ordered that "Nepra, being the regulator of K-Electric, is directed to make sure that the instructions issued by it vide order on the above-noted show cause notice dated March 25, 2016 are being complied with by K-Electric in letter and spirit”.

The order further said: “Needless to state that in case of non-compliance by K-Electric authorities, Nepra authorities will be at liberty to take appropriate action in accordance with the law against K-Electric authorities”.

The bench had on Monday reserved its order on the plea against K-Electric.

The bench had also expressed grave displeasure over Nepra's failure to keep a vigilant eye on the power utility’s alleged malpractices.

A judge had remarked that Nepra seemed to be unwilling to take action against the power utility.

“Had the regulator performed its responsibility, the petitioner would not have to approach the court," he snapped.