LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Wednesday stayed transfer of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company’s (Fesco) chief executive officer Shafiqur Rehman and chief engineer Umar Lodhi allegedly made on political influence.

Representing the petitioners, advocate Awais Khalid contended that the impugned transfer orders had been issued on a political basis. He pointed out that MNA Raja Riaz Ahmad moved a privilege motion in the National Assembly on Aug 26, 2020, which was received at the office of the Pepco and Fesco the same day.

He said the petitioners were transferred on Aug 28 without an opportunity of personal hearing and reasons.

He alleged that on Aug 26, MNA Ahmad along with two other parliamentarians Sheikh Khurram Shehzad and Faizullah Kamoke visited the Fesco headquarters. He said the parliamentarians asked the CEO to reinstate an SDO suspended on charges of corruption.

He claimed that the parliamentarians responded in a harsh manner when the CEO refused to fulfill their demand, citing legal implications.

The counsel argued that the transfer of the petitioners was against section 3 of the Wapda Act, which gave autonomy to all the companies. He stated that impugned order was issued without consultation of board of directors and was an open interference in the autonomy of the Fesco.

He asked the court to set aside the impugned transfer orders and declared them arbitrary and unlawful.

Chief Justice Khan suspended the operation of the impugned orders and sought replies from the respondents by the next hearing.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2020