Neelum-Jehlum project: PHC stays collection of surcharge

The court issued notices to the Nepra and federal government to submit their replies.

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court (PHC) issued a stay order on the collection of Neelam-Jehlum surcharge in the electricity bills from 11 textile mills across Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. The court also issued notices to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and federal government to submit their replies. The levy imposed by the federal government is collected from the textile units for the construction of the Neelam-Jehlum project. A PHC division bench issued the orders during the hearing of a writ petition. Barrister Mudassar, informed the court that the amendment came into effect in violation of the law, it was observed in Pakistan only as no other country collects tax for a proposed project, asking the court to declare the amendment in the act and the levy as null and void. The deputy advocate general sought time for the federation to answer.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2012.