KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Commissioner Inland Revenue (CIR) Zone-IV, Regional Tax Office-II to decide the impugned show cause notice issued to the petitioner within one week. The court ordered this on a constitutional petition filed by M/s Cosmos International seeking restoration of its sale tax registration which was suspended by tax authorities.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Muhammad Arshad Khan, was hearing the petition.
During the hearing, both parties completed their arguments and after the arguments, the court disposed of this petition along with listed application with directions that, “respondent shall decide the fate of the impugned show cause notice, however, keeping in view the response submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner, as well as the decision of this court in the another petitions and to decide the same within one week from the date of receipt of this order, which shall be communicated to the respondent by the learned counsel for the petitioner, however, it is clarified that if an appropriate order is not passed within the aforesaid period, the sale tax registration of the petitioner shall stand restored, whereas, is case of any adverse material available against the petitioner with the respondent, the respondent shall confront the petitioner with such material and shall provide an opportunity of being heard before taking any adverse action against the petitioner.”
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated in its petition that it is engaged in the business of import and supply of goods being description “porcelain and ceramic tiles” and paying all liabilities regularly, however, officials of the custom department suspended its sale tax registration without shown any lawful reason. Being aggrieved it filed an appeal before concerned authority which is pending before the concerned authority; however, due to delay the same, petitioner is suffering heavy losses.
Citing Commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-IV, Regional Tax Office-II as respondent, importer pleaded the court may direct the respondent to decide its appeal as soon as possible.
