The Lahore High Court (LHC) has taken up a petition challenging the federal government and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) over the newly issued solar net metering policy.

The petition was heard by Justice Abid Hussain Chatha, who sought responses from the federal government, NEPRA, and Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO). The court rejected an immediate stay request but asked all parties to submit detailed replies.

The petitioner named the federal government, NEPRA, LESCO, and other relevant authorities as respondents. The petition argues that the government has broken its promise of “unit-for-unit” compensation, putting citizens who have invested heavily in solar systems at financial risk.

The petition further claims that NEPRA’s new regulations violate fundamental property rights and discriminate against solar consumers. According to the filing, the new policy effectively forces citizens to buy electricity at high rates and sell it back at lower rates, creating an inequitable system that undermines investment in renewable energy.

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The petitioner urged the court to restore the previous net metering policy and immediately halt the implementation of the new regulations until the legal review is complete.

This case highlights growing tension between solar energy investors and regulatory authorities in Pakistan, as many citizens who installed solar panels under earlier policies now face uncertainty over returns on their investments.