Supreme Court (SC) has withdrawn the stay order issued in connection with suo motu notice against hike in power tariff and has issued directives power tariff be not raised without informing SC registrar about formula.

SC bench headed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry took up the suo motu notice for hearing Thursday pertaining to hike in power tariff.

NEPRA counsel informed the court no proposal was under consideration of ministry of water and power and finance ministry to enhance power tariff.

SC withdrew the stay order with regard to prospective rise in power tariff and asked NEPRA counsel if the power tariff would not be raised after the withdrawal of stay order.

NEPRA counsel said no such thing was in his knowledge and he would inform the court in this regard after asking about it from the federal government. .

CJP directed no raise in power tariff be made without informing the SC registrar about formula adding whatever increase is made in power tariff it should be made within rules and regulations. No such decision should be taken in this respect which could lead to shift additional burden to the poor consumers, he observed.

SC has issued notices to ministry of water and power, ministry of finance and NEPRA besides adjourning the hearing for three weeks.