KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has suspended an impugned notice for attachment of the petitioner’s bank accounts for the recovery of disputed amount of Rs 931,192,600. The court ordered this on a constitutional petition filed by Multinet Pakistan (Private) Limited against demand notice of the said amount issued by additional commissioner Inland Revenue, Large Taxpayer Unit Audit Range-A Zone-III.
While the hearing of the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi also issued notice to the tax department and deputy attorney general, directing them to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the business of telecommunication services and discharges its duties towards payments of tax diligently, however, additional commissioner Inland Revenue Large Taxpayer Unit Audit Range-A Zone-III issued a show cause notice to the petitioner under section 122 (5A) of the income tax ordinance in respect of liability of Rs931,192,600.
Being aggrieved, petitioner filed an appeal before concerned authority which is pending for disposal, however, officials of the tax department moved for enforce recovery and directives of the tax authorities, bank attached its bank accounts for enforce recovery without any lawful authority.
Citing Secretary Ministry of Finance, chairman Federal Board of Revenue, additional commissioner Inland Revenue Large Taxpayer Unit, Audit Range-A, Zone-III and others as respondents, it pleaded the court may restrain them from taking any coercive action against the petitioner till final disposal of its appeal.
