ISLAMABAD: A division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) consisting of Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb has reserved a decision on a tax matter filed by M/s Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited
The bench also dated in office the hearing of various other income and customs matters after issuing directives to parties. The cases were being submitted by Customs Appellate Tribunal and others.
The bench was hearing the Telenor Pakistan case since 2015. Earlier, the case had been adjourned following none participation of the parties which also included Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue and field officers of the Federal Board of Revenue besides M/s Telenor Pakistan.
After hearing the arguments from sides the bench reserved the decision which is likely to be announced in coming days. M/s Telenor Pakistan had challenged a recovery notice issued by the Commissioner Inland Revenue of Large Taxpayer’s Unit, Islamabad. M/s Telenor Pakistan Private Limited was issued notice under the head of income tax.
M/s Telenor Pakistan Private Limited had prayed the court that FBR office had issued a recovery notice to the company which did not hold lawful grounds.
The appellant had prayed the court to declare the act as illegal and without any lawful authority and an interim stay may be granted against recovery proceedings.
M/s Telenor Pakistan Private Limited submitted before the court that the impugned order was issued under mala fide intentions and had no legal standing or authority and the court may decide on relief which it deemed appropriate in this regard. It also stated that due legal course was not followed by the department in issuing the order.
ATIR, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), officers of LTU including Commissioner Inland Revenue, and others were made respondent in the case.
M/s Telenor Pakistan Private Limited had also mentioned that departmental obligations were not met amid processing the notice of recovery demand while later the adjudication did not addressed grievances of the appellant.
