KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Commissioner ( Appeals ) Sindh Revenue Board to decide the appeal filed by M/s Television Media Network against the impugned recovery notice of Rs 396,702,166 under Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act, 2011, within 45 days.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Abdul Malik Gaddi, also directed the respondents not to initiate recovery proceedings against the petitioner until disposal of the appeal.
Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel stated that on 4th November 2015, Assistant Commissioner (Unit -21) Commissionerate of SRB-1 issued a show cause notice under section 23 (1) of the Sindh Sales Tax on Services Act, 2011, asking the petitioner as to why the SST amount be assessed and recovered from the petitioner along with default surcharge.
According to the petitioner, it filed a reply but respondent refused it and issued notice to the petitioner for recovery of Rs 396,702,166 however, it filed appeal before the commissioner appeals which is pending but respondents are threatening the petitioner for immediate payment of disputed tax liability.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division, Commissioner (Appeals ) Sindh Revenue Board, Assistant Commissioner (Unit -21) Commissionerate of SRB-1 as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the court to direct the appellate authority to decide the pending appeal and restrain the respondents from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.