ISLAMABAD - Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry has directed the Chairman Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) to furnish detailed report regarding provision of electricity on reduced rates to the farmhouses in suburbs of Islamabad. Taking suo motto notice of the issue appeared in a section of press, Chief Justice directed Chairman IESCO to submit within a fortnight detailed report whether electricity was provided to the farmhouses on agricultural rates and that whether the electricity was utilized for agricultural purposes or not. Chairman IESCO in his comments stated that 557 electricity connections have been provided to 229 farmhouses at Chak Shahzad, a suburb of Islamabad. He further stated that the electricity connection for agriculture purposes to the plot owned by former president Pervez Musharraf was provided in December 2003, stating by that time it was an open plot of 40 kanals and there was no building structure. Chairman IESCO further submitted that MD Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) has constituted a high power committee to physically and technically examine the electricity connections and installations at the Chak Shahzad farmhouses. He stated that so far a few discrepancies of technical nature as well as tariff have been identified and that the remedial steps would be taken after receipt of the comprehensive report of the committee. The Chief Justice directed IIESCO to furnish detailed report within fortnight. The Chief Justice also took notice of the increase in electricity tariff despite decrease in oil prices in international markets and issued notices to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and WAPDA to submit detailed report on the matter. Chairman WAPDA, in his comments, submitted that the government had not notified the enhancement of power tariff by Rs 1.96 per unit as appeared in sections of the press. Chairman WAPDA further stated that NEPRA was responsible for determining tariff rates, charges and other terms and conditions for the supply of electric power services by the generation, transmission and distribution companies and recommended these to the federal government. NEPRA determines the power tariffs for each distribution company based on companys revenue requirements to ensure smooth running of the companys normal operations after personal hearing and interactions with all stakeholders and it is implemented after notification of the government. The Chief Justice directed for putting up the case in the court on July 6, 2009. The Chief Justice also took suo motu notice of the advancement of clocks by one hour and sought comments from the Ministry of Water and Power and Ministry of Interior. The Chief Justice took notice of the introduction of Daylight Saving Time (DST) on application of one Preetam Giani, who stated that the advancement of clocks had created a lot of trouble and misunderstanding. The applicant stated that a higher literacy rate was required for successful operation of the daylight saving time. Moreover, the applicant stated, the need for advancement of clocks was felt in parts of the world at more than 40-degree latitude north or south of the equator, which excludes Pakistan. He stated that the summer and winter timings in Pakistan worked well for schools, offices and courts etc and prayed the same should be retained. The Chief Justice has sought comments from the ministries of water and power and interior on the issue.