Court tells KMC to issue rent challans for its huts on Hawkes Bay

Petitioners unwilling to even pay Rs18,000 per year for beach huts

KARACHI:

The SHC has ordered the issuance of a new challan on the petition of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) for the rent of its huts at Hawkes Bay within 15 days.

The court decision came after hearing over 35 petitions filed against the KMC.

The petitioners contended that the KMC has been increasing the rent of the huts from time to time, with the current rent fixed at Rs18,000 per annum.

The corporation gets only Rs18,000 per year from each hut it owns on the Hawkes Bay Beach, whereas some people having the lease don't even pay that sum. The court disposed of all 35 petitions filed against the KMC.

Mayor's election challenged

The SHC adjourned the hearing of a petition challenging the Sindh Local Government Amendment Act, due to the absence of the Advocate General of Sindh.

Petitioner's lawyer, Tariq Mansoor Advocate highlighted that the notification of the mayor and deputy mayor of Karachi is contingent upon the court's decision on this plea. The court acknowledged the importance of the matter and expressed its desire to proceed with the application on a priority basis. However, it also noted that the AG Sindh wishes to hear the arguments.

Tariq Mansoor Advocate argued in the petition that the Sindh Local Government Amendment Act allows a person who was not elected in local body elections to become mayor. Through the Local Government Amendment Act, a condition has been set to win the election within six months of becoming a mayor