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SC suspends LHC verdict regarding recovery of water bill charges

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Thursday suspended the Lahore High Court (LHC) ruling regarding recovery of water charges from mineral water companies.
A three-member SC bench headed by Justice Umar Ata Bandial and comprising Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan heard the review petitions regarding recovery of charges over water extraction/installation for commercial use.
During the course of proceedings, Justice Ijaz Ul Ahsan asked as to how the high court had dismissed the notification ignoring the orders of the apex court.
He observed that the high court should have checked that the matter was in the Supreme Court. The high court verdict could not be maintained as it was the authority of the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) not that of the high court, he observed.
He remarked that the apex court was hearing the case regarding charges for water extraction.
He asked the counsel for the private mineral water company that his client should approach the apex court instead of the high court.
The counsel said the high court did not cancel the notification as it canceled the bill.
Justice Umar Ata Bandial remarked that the court did not want to punish anyone as it was hearing the matter for the only public interest.
The court remarked that the high court order regarding billing would remain suspended and the amount collected through bills would remain in bank accounts but would not be utilized.
Later the case was adjourned till after Eid holidays.

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M M Alam

M. M. Alam is a Pakistan-based working journalist since 1981. Karachi University faculty gold medalist Alam began his career four decades ago by writing for Dawn, Pakistan’s highest circulating English daily. He has worked for region’s leading publications, global aviation periodicals including Rotors (of USA) and vetted New York Times as permanent employee of daily Express Tribune. Alam regularly covers international aviation and defense-related events including Salon Du Bourget (France), Farnborough (United Kingdom), Dubai (UAE). Alam has reported thousands of events and interviewed hundreds of people in Pakistan, UAE, EU, UK and USA. Being Francophone Alam also coordinates with a number of French publications.