RAWALPINDI, June 6: The Rawalpindi Tehsil Municipal Administration has paid Rs20 million to the Islamabad Electric Supply Company in outstanding electricity charges ending the longstanding dispute between the two bodies, Dawn has learnt.

The remaining dues of Rs20 million will be paid as soon as the TMA receives its share of property tax instalment from the Punjab government.

The Iesco has agreed to restore the electricity supply of the TMA main office, all the 33 municipal schools, dispensaries, mother-child care centres, street-lights, tube wells and other installations.

The Iesco had disconnected power supply to the TMA four days ago, when it failed to pay the dues worth Rs40 million to the company.

The TMA removed the heaps of garbage on Thursday from the gates of Iesco branch offices at Ganjmandi, Ratta Amral and Hamilton Road, which it had dumped in retaliation.

The row was resolved on the intervention of the district Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani, who visited the Tehsil office on Thursday and assured the Iesco officials that the outstanding amount would be paid.

Executive director Iesco, Brig Waseem Zafar confirmed that the dispute had been resolved. He said the district Nazim contacted him and told him that Rs20 million would be paid on Thursday and the remaining amount would be paid in a few days.

However, he said he had asked for a written assurance from the Tehsil officials, which he was not sure was received by his staff or not.

He declined to comment on the dumping of garbage heaps near the Iesco offices and said a gentleman would not comment on such petty things.

Brig Waseem said they would disconnect electricity supply to all government and private institutions if they fail to pay their power dues before June 30. We are all government departments but we are obliged to pay each other’s dues, he said.

A TMA spokesman said they had sent a written assurance and a cheque of Rs20 million whereas the remaining amount would be paid when the next instalment is received by the TMA.