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LAHORE:
The Lahore High Court (LHC) refused to issue an immediate stay order against the new net metering policy introduced by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), while issuing notices to the concerned authorities for their response.
Justice Abid Hussain Chattha heard a petition challenging the revised policy on Friday. The federal government, Nepra and Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco), among others, were named as respondents in the case.
During the hearing, the petitioner’s attorney argued that the government reneged on its previous promise of “unit-by-unit” net metering, adding that the new policy jeopardized the investments of citizens who installed solar systems.
The lawyer argued that Nepra’s new regulations violate fundamental property rights and urged the court to declare the policy void and suspend its implementation until a final decision on the petition.
However, the court rejected the request for an immediate restraining order, noting that it could not pass an order without hearing the other party. The court subsequently issued notices to the federal government and other respondents, seeking their responses.
Last week, Nepra overhauled the country’s net metering regime, moving rooftop solar generators and other small generators to a new “net billing” system under the Nepra (Prosumer) Regulations 2026. This fundamentally changed the way electricity producers are paid and repealed the decade-old framework.
