KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has issued notices to the tax authorities and deputy attorney general, directing them to file their para-wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by Pakistan Molasses Company (Private) Limited against the impugned demand notice of Rs 17 million for the tax year 2014 issued by the Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Unit-IV, Zone-II, Large Taxpayers Unit-II, Karachi.
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Nazir Akbar, was hearing the petition. Earlier, counsel for the petitioner stated that it is engaged in the lawful business and never involved in any tax evasion case, however Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Unit-IV, Zone-II, Large Taxpayers Unit-II, Karachi, passed an order against the petitioner creating a demand of Rs 17 milliom for tax year 2014.
According to the petitioner, he moved the Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals-IV and filed an application along with a stay application which is still pending for disposal. However during such pending appeal, petitioner is being threatened by high officials of the tax department.
Citing to Secretary Revenue Division, Commissioner Inland Revenue Appeals-IV, Additional Commissioner Inland Revenue Unit-IV, Zone-II, Large Taxpayers Unit-II, Karachi, and others as respondents, petitioner pleaded with the court to kindly restrain them from taking any coercive action till the final decision of the appeal. He also pleaded with the court to direct an appellate forum to decide its appeal within a reasonable period.
