KARACHI: Pakistan International (Private) Limited has approached the Sindh High Court (SHC), seeking de-freezing of its bank accounts and challenging the demand notice for recovery of Rs 98,151,949/- for the tax year 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 issued by the officer of Inland Revenue Enforcement Unit – 3, Zone-IV, Regional Tax Office-II.
The petitioner stated in its constitutional petition that the petitioner is marketing promotion of space communications, media systems and services and collection on behalf of the government of Pakistan/Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO). The petitioner said that officer of the Inland Revenue Enforcement Unit – 3, Zone -IV, Regional Tax Office – II issued prejudicial recovery notice sent to the bank of the petitioner dated June 28, 2016 , in furtherance of an assessment order passed by the Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Range-A, Zone – IV Regional Tax Office – II dated May 28, 2016 along with arbitrary demand dated June 23, 2016 ,thereby, Labeling the petitioner a ” tax defaulter ” without any legal or tenable justification.
It started that respondents are bent upon adopting illicit and arbitrary demeanor through coercive measures despite the fact that the that the role of the petitioner is solely to the extent of acting on behalf of the commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals – IV Audit Range-A Zone-IV Regional Tax Office-II and government of Pakistan.
Citing secretary Ministry of Finance, additional commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Range-A, Zone – IV Regional Tax Office – II, commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals – IV Audit Range-A Zone – IV Regional Tax Office – II and others as respondents. Petitioner pleaded the SHC to declare that impugned order as well demand notice for recovery of Rs 98,151,949/- for the tax year 2010 to 2013 are illegal, malafide and issued in exercise of arbitrary powers and in violation of the petitioner’s constitution rights.
Petitioner also pleaded that SHC may direct the respondents to de-freeze in bank accounts of the petitioner and restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner.
