KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has directed the Karachi mayor to file a report over a dispute between the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and town municipal corporations (TMCs) about payment of pensionary benefits to their retired employees.

A two-judge constitutional bench of the SHC headed by Justice Mohammad Karim Khan Agha also ordered KMC’s financial adviser Gulzar Abro to appear in person on March 4.

A retired employee of Baldia TMC moved the SHC in 2023 seeking directives for respondents to release his pension and other benefits.

Earlier, TMC officials had submitted that it was the responsibility of the KMC to pay pensionary benefits to the petitioner. However, a counsel for the KMC disputed the same and the bench had directed the TMC to pay the amount in question.

During the hearing, the petitioner was given a cheque for his retirement dues. However, the bench noted that while the petitioner’s grievance had been addressed, other issue remained that who was responsible to pay monthly pension to him.

“There is still dispute between the KMC and TMC that who should be responsible for the monthly pension of the petitioner. Accordingly, the Mayor Karachi, who is head of the KMC/TMC, shall submit report in writing stating clearly whether the KMC is to pay the pension or whether it is duty of each TMC.

“A copy of this order shall be sent to Mayor Karachi who through an officer well conversant with the financial and pensionary matters of KMC and TMC shall appear and submit the compliance report,” the bench stated in the order.

Published in Dawn, February 20th, 2025