Tax tribunals: IHC revokes appointments of chairman, members

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad High Court on Friday revoked the appointment of the chairman and members of the Tax Appellate Tribunals terming them illegal.

“The incumbent chairperson and members of the Appellate Tribunal shall [cease] to function with effect from the date of notification of appointments made pursuant to this judgment,” read a consolidated judgment from the IHC on Friday.

Justice Athar Minallah of the IHC observed in his order that the appointments had been made without consulting the CJP. However, the court declared that the chairman and members were to be treated as de facto holders of their respective offices and the acts, orders or judgments passed shall remain protected under the de facto doctrine.

The court directed the federal government to immediately initiate the process for appointing a fresh chairman and members of the appellate tribunal after meaningful consultations with the chief justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th,  2016.