Supreme Court tells KMC, KE reconcile arrears by mediation

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan directed the KMC and K. Electric to reconcile their billions of rupees arrears by mediation, ARY News reported on Wednesday.

A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa heard the case of Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the KE pertaining to billions of rupees arrears against each other.

The bench directed the parties to suggest the name of mediator for dispute resolution.

The KMC’s lawyer told the court that the KE has to pay 5.7 billion rupees to the municipal corporation in outstanding arrears. “There are 1.1 bln rupees bill of the KE, outstanding against the KMC,” lawyer Abid Zuberi said.

“The KMC has claimed that the K.Electric has disconnected its power connection,” Justice Faez Isa said.

“Isn’t it better for both entities to reconcile the matter,” the CJP suggested. “The KMC could not get free power supply. What is problem in payment if the KE not issuing inflated electricity bills,” the chief justice questioned.

“The descent of Karachi in darkness would also have political implication,” Justice Isa remarked. “Mayor Karachi himself is a lawyer. It will be better to reconcile the matter while taking the mayor into confidence,” CJP said.

“Karachi have to suffer if the KE will suspend the electric supply,” he added.

The court ordered the sides to suggest the name of mediator and adjourned further hearing of the case till October 12.