KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the Pakistan Customs to file their respective para wise comments on a constitutional petition filed by M/s A.I International, seeking restoration of its sales tax registration number blocked by Commissioner Inland Revenue Unit-5, Zone-VI, Corporate Regional Tax Office Karachi due to the alleged non-compliance of section 73 of Sales Tax Act, 1990. A two-member bench, headed by Justice Munib Akhtar, was hearing the petition.
Earlier, counsel for the petitioner argued that petitioner is registered as importer and exporter of textile goods and doing lawful business and has never been involved in any criminal case.
The counsel submitted that on January 1, 2018, a show cause notice was issued to the petitioner by the Commissioner Inland Revenue whereby, the sales tax registration of the petitioner was suspended merely on the ground of non-compliance of section 73 of Sales Tax Act, 1990. He argued that petitioner submitted a proper reply which was not considered by the respondents’ department.
Citing Secretary Revenue Division and commissioner Inland Revenue Unit-05, Zone-VI, Corporate Regional Tax Office Karachi as respondents, petitioner pleaded the court to declare the act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. Counsel further pleaded the court to pass the interim order and direct them to restore its sales tax registration number immediately.
