KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday restrained the Sindh government from deducting monthly installment of Rs26.454 million from Karachi Metropolitan Corporation's Octori Zilla Tax (OZT) share to pay outstanding electricity dues. The KMC has gone to the court assailing the government's decision to deduct Rs1.269 billion through 48 monthly installments from the KMC's OZT share.

A single bench, headed by Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput ruled that, the respondent authorities are restrained from deducting the monthly installments of Rs26.454 million from OZT share.

The bench also issued notices to the respondents - Sindh chief secretary, secretaries of local government, energy and finance departments and K-Electric to file their respective comments till April 12.

The KMC filed the lawsuit, submitting that the Sindh government unilaterally took decision without taking the KMC in the loop. Even the longstanding claim of KMC amounting to Rs7.071 billion against K-Electric was not taken into consideration.—PPI