KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the petitioner not to harass the K & N (Private) Limited on an application filed by them against moving publicity tax and maintained the earlier interim order to be continue to until the next date of hearing.
“No harassment whatsoever shall be caused to the petitioner,” the court passed the order in the first hearing. The SHC division bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhter and Justice Abdul Malik Gaddi, was hearing the application.
During the hearing, the counsel for the respondent requested for general adjournment. However, learned counsel for the petitioner requested the court to fix a date.
The counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner’s company received a demand notice on June 12, 2013 from Additional Director Moving Publicity Advertisement. In the notice it was alleged that petitioner is liable to pay Rs 195,125 as moving publicity for the year 2012-13 under the provisions of signage by-law, 2003.
The petitioner’s counsel submitted the company is also being harassed by the authority which demanding Rs 195,125 by the field staff. He stated that respondents are threatening and harassing the drivers of the vehicles carrying products of the company and due to harassment, company is facing severe problems in carrying out the business activity.
The counsel added that company is fulfilling its responsibilities and paying all leviable amounts, therefore respondents have no right to demand such moving publicity tax.
Citing secretary local government, administrator Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC ), additional director Moving Publicity Advertisement, Hur Corporation as the respondents, the petitioner pleaded the court to restrain the respondents from harassing it and demanding such tax.