KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued a notice to Ejaz Khan, Chief Commissioner Land Revenue Regional Tax Office, Zone – IV, Regional Tax Office – II on a contempt application filed by M/s Al Hamd Printers against non compliance of the SHC order over restoration of its sales tax registration.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Iqbal Kalhoro and Justice Khadim Hussain M Sheikh heard the petition. During the hearing, the counsel for the petitioner submitted that on the last date of hearing the court had directed the commissioner Inland Revenue to decide the show cause notices within 90 days which were issued to the petitioner and till that period the order of suspension of registration shall remain suspended.
However, the tax authorities are not complying with the court order; therefore, the court may start contempt proceedings against tax authorities.
On the last date of hearing, after final arrangements from both sides court had disposed of the petition with direction that ” petition is disposed of along with all pending applications by directing the Commissioner Inland Revenue to decide the show cause notices dated May 23 and June 2,2016 perfectly a period of 90 days from today in accordance with law, and till that period the order of the suspension of registration dated June 14,2016 shall remain suspended. However, petitioner shall not be entitled to claim refund or input tax adjustment during such period “.
Earlier, petitioner stated that petitioner is running manufacturer of printing press and paying all liabilities regularly, however respondents issued show cause notices and suspended its sales tax registration.
Citing secretary Ministry of Interior, chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), chief commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax Office, Zone IV, Regional Tax Office – II, Directorate Intelligence & Investigation and deputy commissioner Inland Revenue as respondents, petitioner pleaded the SHC may set aside impugned show cause notices and restore its sales tax registration.