LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday reserved verdict on more than 400 petitions, challenging the Federal Board of Revenue’s audit policy 2015.
A single bench of the LHC comprising Justice Shahid Jamil Khan heard the petitions filed by Nestle Pakistan and others.
Earlier, the petitioners’ counsel, arguing before the court, submitted that the FBR had issued notices to the petitioners for sales tax, federal excise duty and income tax audit after selecting them through random computer ballot.
The counsel contended that the selection had not been made as per directions of the court. They said that the LHC had already ordered the FBR to form rules for selection first and then initiate selection process. But the board made the selection without forming rules.
He further pointed out that many individuals including salaried persons were not included in the balloting process which was a violation of Article 27 of the Constitution. They pleaded the court to declare selection of the petitioners for audit as null and void. However, FBR’s counsel Barrister Asjad Saeed opposed the request and submitted that the court asked the board to form rules for selection, if it was considered necessary.
He said that instead of forming rules, the board introduced the policy as it was easy to amend a policy than the rules in case of any shortcoming.
He further said that the petitioners also failed to point out any discrimination in the selection process. He pleaded the court to dismiss all petitions. The court after hearing detailed arguments of parties reserved judgement on the petitions.
