SHC accepts plea for urgent hearing municipal taxes case

Mayor requests for decision before budget; court remarks other parties are involved, the decision will take time

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has accepted petitions, challenging the municipal charges in electricity bills, for urgent hearing on the request of Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab.

A two-member bench, presided over by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar, heard the petitions and issued notices to the relevant parties.

The mayor appeared in court and requested the judges to expedite the decision on the pleas, citing, "We have to finalise the budget for the year and that can only be made once a decision on the petitions is made by the honourable court.”

Mayor pointed to his consistent attendance record, saying, “Please check the diary, I've been present on every hearing.” Which city operates without taxes? In the city's interest, the decision in this case should be made quickly.

Tariq Mansoor Advocate noted that the two-member bench had previously adjourned the hearing until after the holidays.

The mayor stated that the state cannot function without taxes.

The court observed that there are three other parties involved in the case, and it cannot be resolved before the budget.

Tariq Mansoor Advocate mentioned that he has other cases to attend to and won't be able to present arguments.

The mayor asserted, "As a mayor, I have the right to request that the decision on the case should be made to solve the problems. We should be given conditional permission to collect tax."

Tariq Mansoor Advocate argued that the federation has also proposed taxing in KMC style through utility service bills in the next budget. He suggested that since the case has already been delayed for two-and-a-half years, it wouldn't harm to wait another one month. It is an important matter, and I want to give detailed arguments.

The mayor stated, "I am talking about the city, if the court issues an order, Nazir can collect the tax amount.” He mentioned that there is still an outstanding tax amount ranging from Rs200 to Rs5,000, which citizens have not paid.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 28^th, 2024.