F.P. Report
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Friday temporarily suspended the decision of the provincial ombudsman that had ordered the removal of K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi from office in a harassment case filed by a woman.
The interim relief came during the hearing of Alvi’s appeal against the ombudsman’s verdict, which the court agreed to hear. The court also directed Alvi to deposit a fine of Rs2.5 million with the Sindh High Court and issued notices to the provincial ombudsman, the complainant woman, and other relevant parties, seeking their responses by August 8.
Moonis Alvi had challenged the ombudsman’s ruling in the Sindh High Court, terming it unlawful. His counsel argued that the federal ombudsman has jurisdiction in this matter, not the provincial ombudsman, as K-Electric is an inter-provincial company that supplies electricity to Karachi, Lasbela, Hub, and Winder.
“The law of the federation applies in Sindh in such cases. The creation of a provincial ombudsman in this matter is not valid,” Alvi’s lawyer said, adding that the decision was illegal and lacked legal standing.
The court questioned the basis of the jurisdictional claim and asked the petitioner’s lawyer to clarify how this case falls under the Federal Ombudsman. The lawyer reiterated that since K-Electric’s operations extend beyond Sindh, the federal body is the correct forum for such complaints.
The court, after hearing initial arguments, opted to temporarily halt the implementation of the ombudsman’s ruling, pending further legal examination. It scheduled the next hearing for August 8, when responses from all parties will be considered.
