We consider the time dependent Hartmann flow of a conducting fluid in a channel formed by two horizontal parallel plates of infinite extent, there being a layer of a non-conducting fluid between the conducting fluid and the upper channel wall. The flow formation of conducting and non-conducting fluids is coupled by equating the velocity and shear stress at the interface. The unsteady flow formation inside the channel is caused by a sudden change in the pressure gradient. The relevant partial differential equations capturing the present physical situation are transformed into ordinary differential equations using the Laplace transform technique. The ordinary differential equations are then solved analytically and the Riemann-sum approximation method is used to invert the Laplace domain into time domain. The solution obtained is validated by comparisons with the closed form solutions obtained for steady states which have been derived separately and also by the implicit finite difference method. The variation of velocity, mass flow rate and skin-friction on both plates for various physical parameters involved in the problem are reported and discussed with the help of line graphs. It was found that the effect of changes of the electric load parameter is to aid or oppose the flow as compared to the short-circuited case.