KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed certain banks not to share petitioner’s accounts with tax authorities until the next date of hearing. The court ordered this on a constitutional petition filed Muhammad Imran against a notice which was issued by the tax department to the banks for recovery of alleged pending taxes.
While the hearing of petition, a two-member bench, Comprising Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi and Justice Arshad Hussain Khan directed the tax authorities to conduct strictly in accordance with law and file para-wise comments on the next date of hearing. The court adjourned the hearing for February 2, 2017.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner informed the court that petitioner is a regular importer of tyres and there are no tax proceedings pending against him. A notice was issued on November 22, 2016 under section 176 of the income tax ordinance, 2001 in respect of some investigation pending against M/s King Super Construction Company, which was duly responded, where after, another similar notice was issued to the petitioner on December 26, 2016 in respect of the same investigations, which was also duly responded.
The counsel further argued that the petitioner is surprised when officials of the tax department issued another notice on January 19, 2017 whereas, to the banks of the petitioner, requiring details of the petitioner’s accounts. He said that there is apprehension that the respondents will use such information against the petitioner.
Citing Chairman Federal Board of Revenue, Director General Intelligence & Investigation-FBR, Director Intelligence & Investigation, managers of MCB, UBL, Askari Bank, Meezan Bank and others banks as respondents, the petitioner pleaded the court to declare that act of the respondents as illegal, mala fide and arbitrary. He also pleaded the court to restrain them from taking any coercive action against him.
