KARACHI, Feb 18: The Sindh High Court dismissed on Wednesday a writ petition moved by a contractor against the abolition of a fee by the city district government (CDGK). The fee was levied by the Mauripur union council, which auctioned its collection to a contractor. It was collected at a rate of Rs5 per vehicle.

The CDGK issued the council a notice to show cause under what authority of law was it charging the fee. The council replied that it was not a new levy and had long been charged and realized.

The CDGK barred the council from collecting the fee as it was not recoverable under the new law, the Sindh Local Government Ordinance. The contractor approached the high court against the decision.

A division bench comprising Justices Sabihuddin Ahmed and Zia Perwez dismissed the petition after hearing CDGK counsel Manzoor Ahmed. By another order, the bench directed the CDGK to remove encroachment from the main New Karachi road within a month.

About 20 feet of the 36-foot wide road had been encroached upon by residents of Bhangi Para and the court had ordered their eviction. The bench admonished the CDGK officials concerned for not complying with its order.