LAHORE: A Lahore High Court division bench has recused itself from an intra court appeal (ICA) challenging the dismissal of a public interest petition on electricity and gas load management besides imposition of fine on the petitioner.

The appeal, filed by Advocate Azhar Siddique, assailed the judgment passed by a single bench, which dismissed the writ petition while terming it frivolous and unsubstantiated.

The single bench had imposed Rs100,000 in cost on the petitioner.

The division bench comprising Justice Ahmad Nadeem Arshad and Justice Malik Waqar Haider Awan took up the ICA filed by the lawyer.

However, Justice Arshad recused himself from the appeal citing personal reasons. The bench referred the appeal to the chief justice for its hearing before any other appropriate bench.

The appeal contended that the adverse findings and punitive costs could discourage bona fide public interest litigation. It argues that the petitioner had approached relevant regulatory authorities and power distribution companies before invoking the constitutional jurisdiction of the high court.

The appeal asked the division bench to set aside the impugned judgment, expunge the adverse observations, suspend the recovery of costs and restore the writ petition for hearing on merits.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2026