KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the tax department and deputy attorney general on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Royal Impex for restoration of its sales tax registration number seized by customs department.
While hearing the case, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar also directed them to file their respective para wise comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner, through its proprietor Saleh Hamza, said that petitioner is engaged in the lawful business as commercial importer/ exporter/ wholesaler and fulfilling all the liabilities properly.
According to the counsel, petitioner was informed by one of his clearing agent that his sales tax registration number has been shown as suspended with effect from July 14, 2017. He argued that neither any show cause notice nor formal notices were issued to the petitioner in this regard.
Citing Secretary Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs, chief commissioner Inland Revenue Corporate Regional Tax-Office and Commissioner Inland Revenue, Corporate Regional Tax Office as respondents, counsel for the petitioner pleaded the court may declare that act of the customs department is illegal, mala fide and arbitrary.
He also pleaded the court may quash suspension order dated July 13, 2917 for blacklisting the registration of sales and also direct respondents to issue instruction for immediate resumption of the sales tax registration number.