SHC admits petition against municipal tax in KE bills

Issues notices to city mayor, K-Electric seeking responses by Aug 27

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued a written order for the hearing of a petition challenging the inclusion of municipal tax in K-Electric bills.

The court has asked Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab to provide a list of schools and hospitals, along with detailed information about their students and staff. Meanwhile, notices have been issued to Mayor Wahab, K-Electric, and other involved parties, with a response required by August 27.

The petition, filed by Jamaat-e-Islami leader Saifuddin through his lawyer, Usman Farooq Advocate, argues that the public is increasingly concerned about KE's performance, rising electricity prices, and billing practices.

The inclusion of municipal tax in the electricity bills, which has been outsourced to K-Electric by the mayor, has exacerbated these concerns.

The advocate contended that the mayor bypassed consultation with opposition parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and that the agreement between the mayor and KE should be declared illegal and annulled.