LAHORE: The Lahore High Court was told on Thursday that the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) prepared a feasibility report to provide electricity to a village in Layyah district surviving without the basic facility for three decades.

Justice Muhammad Shan Gul was hearing a petition filed by journalist Rana Muhammad Bilal, a resident of Chak No. 133, TDA, Dakkhana Lalazar, Layyah challenging the non-provision of the basic utility to the village by the government.

Assistant Advocate General (AAG) Barrister Lehrasip Hayat Dahar appeared before the court joined by Deputy Commissioner Layyah Imtiaz Ahmad Khichi and apprised the judge about the progress made in light of the previous orders.

The AAG told the court that the deputy commissioner immediately sensitised the Mepco to the need for funds. Consequently, he said, the Mepco prepared a feasibility report and asked the deputy commissioner to send a request based on this report to the federal government for the release of funds.

However, due to unavailability of an additional attorney general for health reasons, the point of view of the federal government could not be presented before the court.

Justice Gul adjourned the hearing till Sept 22 when the federal government’s lawyer would share the progress made in the matter with the court.

The judge observed that the petition was geared towards and rooted in public interest, therefore, the stakeholders should take the initiative of expediting the process in question.

The petitioner through his counsel Azhar Siddique submitted that the provision of electricity was indeed an essential service and the social contract that every citizen had with the state. He said a small amount of money was required for electrifying the village as the authorities concerned had also prepared a feasibility report for the project but never implemented.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2022