LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Tuesday barred federal government and Secretary Water and Power from appointing new chief executive officers (CEOs) of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco).

However, the court allowed to continue selection process. The court also issued notice and sought a report from respondents by February 14.

Justice Umar Ata Bandial passed the order on a petition filed by Eng Ghazanfar Ali Khan and five others challenging the recruitment of new CEOs from open market instead of filling the post by promoting senior officials working in electric supply companies.

The petitioners impleaded Secretary Water and Power, Secretary Cabinet Division, Pepco, Lesco and Fesco as respondents.

Earlier, the petitioner's counsel arguing before the court submitted that the recruitment process for the appointment of new CEOs of electric supply companies, including LESCO, FESCO and 7 others, from open market were in progress.

He contended that these posts should be filled by promoting senior officers working in engineering cadre of different electric supply companies. He contended that the selection process was in violation of promotion policy and WAPDA electricity rules 1966.

The counsel prayed the court to direct the authorities to fill the posts of CEOs of Lesco and Fesco by promotion from eligible senior most officers working in the engineering cadre.

He pleaded the court to bar respondents from recruiting CEO from Open Market and stop selection process.

The court after hearing the arguments of the petitioner's counsel barred respondents from appointing new CEOs of Lesco and Fesco and sought reply by February 14.