CJP snubs power secretary on excessive payments to IPPs

Islamabad: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Wednesday came down hard on Federal Power Secretary Irfan Ali in a suo motu case of excessive payments made to independent power producers (IPPs). CJP Nisar stated: “We can forward the case to the National Accountability Bureau for investigation.” “There was no electricity supplied to people, whereas they have been charged hefty amounts in electricity bills,” he said, adding that the circular debt has risen to billions of rupees. He lamented the power secretary, and said “you might have prepared one presentation for the Prime Minister to show time and again. Earlier on January 5, the CJP took the notice during hearing multiple public interest cases at the Lahore registry of the Supreme Court, where he observed that the billions of rupees paid to the IPPs had ballooned the circular debt. “Apparently, the matter involves Rs1.5 billion,” he had said, adding “the judiciary had a key role to play in protection of fundamental rights of people.” Later, notices were issued to 10 IPPs.