LAHORE: The Lahore High Court(LHC) has asked a deputy attorney general and Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) counsel to seek instructions from concerned quarters whether the federal cabinet gave approval of Tax Amnesty Scheme or not.
Justice Shahid Karim passed the orders while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Sheraz Zaka challenging Tax Amnesty Scheme.
Earlier, the petitioner-counsel arguing before the court submitted that the government had introduced a tax amnesty scheme through Income Tax Amendment Act 2016 for providing relief to traders involved in income tax evasion. He said the scheme was discriminatory and in violation of fundamental rights of citizens. He submitted that instead of taking action against such traders, the government was protecting them. He further submitted that in the light of Supreme Court judgement, it was mandatory to seek approval of the federal cabinet approval for the purpose.
However, a federal law officer and FBR’s counsel submitted that the scheme was introduced through Income Tax Amendment Act 2016 and it was not mandatory to seek approval of the cabinet for the purpose.
But, the court asked the law officer and FBR counsel to seek instructions whether the cabinet gave approval of the scheme or not while adjourning the further hearing for three weeks.
