Islamabad, President Dr. Arif Alvi has ordered the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) to refund Rs 139,860 to a customer, Haji Akhtar Raheem, for the delayed installation of an electricity connection and a transformer. This directive comes in response to a complaint about an unjust additional demand notice issued to the complainant due to a cost escalation, a violation of IESCO’s own procedures.

According to Press Information Department, the President’s decision was made while reviewing a representation by IESCO challenging the order of the Wafaqi Mohtasib. The Mohtasib had previously directed IESCO to refund the amount to Raheem and adhere to the proper procedure. Raheem had initially applied for an electricity connection and a 25 KVA transformer with IESCO. After receiving and paying a demand notice of Rs 305,656, which included the cost of allied material, IESCO failed to install the connection within the stipulated 30 days. Instead, they issued an additional demand notice of Rs 139,860, citing an escalation in material costs.

Feeling aggrieved, Raheem approached the Wafaqi Mohtasib for redressal, resulting in a decision in his favor. However, IESCO contested this decision with the President, who, after a thorough review of the case, directed IESCO to issue the refund. The President noted that IESCO’s Consumer Service Manual clearly states that no additional charges can be levied once a demand notice is issued and paid in full by the applicant. Furthermore, it mandates that IESCO is obligated to install the connection within 30 days, a timeline that was exceeded by seven months in this case.

Concluding that the Wafaqi Mohtasib’s decision was based on sound reasoning and legally sustainable, President Alvi rejected IESCO’s representation and upheld the Mohtasib’s order, thereby reinforcing the importance of adherence to established procedures and consumer rights in utility services.