SHC puts mayor on notice over municipal tax collection
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab on the contempt petition, regarding the collection of Municipal Utility Charges and Taxes (MUCT) through electricity bills.
During a hearing held before a two-member bench, led by Justice Arshad Hussain Khan, the court issued notices to Mayor Wahab. The counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Usman Farooq Advocate argued that Mayor Karachi, Murtaza Wahab has violated the court's orders dated May 29, 2024.
According to the court order, a detailed discussion about the collection of utility tax by K-Electric was necessary. The mayor did not brief the committees on this issue nor gave an opportunity for discussion in the City Council of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC). Usman Farooq Advocate said the resolution for utility tax collection was passed under a supplementary agenda in the KMC House. JI and PTI members were not even taken into confidence.
Usman Farooq Advocate pointed out that the court order exempted consumers of 300 units from MUCT charges, but only those consuming 100 units are currently exempt.
He requested the court to issue an injunction regarding the implementation of the MUCT tax. The court questioned how it could issue an injunction without hearing the other party. Usman Farooq Advocate requested a short date for the hearing to prevent harm to the people of Karachi.
The court issued a notice to Mayor Karachi, Murtaza Wahab, on the contempt petition and directed him to respond by August 7.
Health tax on animals
The Sindh High Court has issued notices to KMC and other relevant authorities regarding a petition against the health tax on animals brought to Karachi. The hearing for the petition against the health tax on animals brought to Karachi was held in the High Court. The petitioner's lawyer argued that the health tax on animals brought to Karachi is illegal. The municipal department and KMC are charging a tax of Rs300 per animal brought to Karachi. We slaughter the animals and export their meat. For export quality, the meat of a healthy animal is essential. The court has issued notices to KMC and other relevant authorities, asking for a response from the parties by August 16.