Islamabad High Court (IHC) has barred Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) from charging complete bill payments from a cement company due to coronavirus lockdown.
Chief Justice IHC, Justice Athar Minallah, was hearing a plea of a cement factory owner in the I-9 Sector, seeking relief from IESCO in electricity bill through the court.
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The lawyer of the factory owner pleaded before the court that due to the ongoing situation, the factory has been forced to close down all its activities, which has pushed the factory into a financial crunch.
If it clears 100 percent utility bills, the owner will be left with no money to pay out salaries to its labor and staff for March, the counsel noted, adding that a mass layoff was on the cards if the situation continued.
To this, Justice Athar remarked that the government is responsible for the job security of its citizens.
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The government should take steps to ensure that employees of private institutions don’t lose their jobs.
He assured full support to the state in this regard, he said, barring the power supply company from receiving more than 33 percent of the utility bill. The amount will be payable by the 15th of this month. The court also barred the factory from sacking its employees.
Seeking a response from IESCO, the court adjourned the hearing till April 17.
