KARACHI: The Sindh High Court has adjourned hearing of dozens of petitions pertaining to imposition of regulatory duty (RD) till Dec 14.
The SHC bench, comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial, adjourned hearing after counsel for FBR Kafeel A Abbasi and Additional Attorney General Salman Talibuddin informed the bench that Member, Legal of FBR would address the court on the law points.
A senior advocate from Franklin Law Associates appearing for a number of petitioners in rebuttal today said petitioner rely on judgment in Mustafa Imex case where in court has ruled that only Parliament or cabinet can impose a new tax while Minister Incharge has no powers to take such a decision on his own in his capacity of Federal Finance Minister.
He said that Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) has no role in levy of a new tax, submitted counsel for Franklin Law Associates. He was concluding his rebuttal when the Additional Attorney General for Pakistan Salman Talibuddin requested the bench to hear Member, Legal of FBR before the arguments are concluded and sides are closed. The bench allowing the request deferred further proceedings till Dec 14.