Islamabad civic body sends Iesco final notice over Rs1.5bn tax

The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad has issued a final notice to the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) over more than Rs1.5 billion in unpaid property tax on property and open land the utility owns in the capital.

MCI officials said the arrears built up despite repeated notices to the power distribution company. A deputy director at the corporation said several reminders had been sent and Iesco had not settled its tax liability, according to TechJuice, which reported the notice on Friday.

The final notice directs Iesco to clear the amount within a deadline set out in it. Neither report gave the length of that deadline, how many notices had gone before it, or a breakdown of the properties covered beyond Iesco-owned buildings and open spaces inside Islamabad.

TechJuice reported that MCI has warned of further action if the payment is not made in time, and that the corporation will start recovery measures once the final notice lapses. ProPakistani carried the same demand, describing it in its headline as the utility's failure to pay.

The corporation's demand covers the same two categories both outlets named: Iesco-owned property and open spaces. Neither report said what share of MCI's receipts the Rs1.5 billion represents, or how long the arrears have been outstanding beyond the series of notices already sent.

The Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad is the municipal body for the federal capital. Iesco, a state-owned distributor, supplies electricity across Islamabad and Rawalpindi district.

Neither report carried any response from the company. Neither said whether Iesco disputes the demand, has asked for more time, or has been given a date on which recovery would begin.