KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) directed the tax department to not take any coercive action against the petitioner in respect of impugned demand notice on a constitutional petition filed by Asad Ali Awan, proprietor of Aline Engineering Works, against the impugned notice for attachment of its bank accounts for forced recovery.
Hearing the petition, a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, also issued notices to the tax authorities and deputy attorney general directing them to file their respective comments on the next date of hearing.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that petitioner is engaged in the business of import & export and manufacturing of engineering parts under the name & style of Aline Engineering Works Karachi and paying all the liabilities properly.
According to the petitioner, Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Range-I issued a show cause notice for recovery of disputed amount. Being aggrieved, he moved the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals and filed an appeal which is pending. However during the pendency, the said respondent issued notice for attachment of its bank accounts for recovery of disputed amount illegally and without lawful authority.
Citing Secretary to Ministry of Commerce, Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals and Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Audit Range-I as respondents, counsel pleaded with the court to restrain them from taking any coercive measures till the final disposal of its appeal.
