IHC seeks FBR’s reply over sales tax on lawyers

Chief Justice Athar Minallah says indirect tax will put additional burden on litigants

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Thursday directed the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to submit reply to a petition challenging sales tax imposed on lawyers by FBR.

IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah also rejected the stay order plea by the petitioner against the FBR orders.

Justice Minallah sought reply from FBR before the next hearing in the petition filed by Advocate Afnan Karim Kundi.

He observed that tax would put additional burden on litigants rather than the lawyers as it was an indirect tax. “This will slow down the justice process,” he expressed.

He remarked that court needs to decide either such tax was being imposed on lawyers or an indirect tax over complainants.

Additional Attorney General maintained that such tax can be refunded after the conclusion of the case.

The court replied that they would see if tax was creating hurdles in provision of justice. “The justice is already not being served as it should have been.”

Advocate Kundi said they were already under huge burden due to imposition of other taxes and it was difficult for them to satisfy the litigants.

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Islamabad High Court Bar Association (IHCBA) President Raja Inaam Ameen and Islamabad District Bar Association (IDBA) President Chaudrhy Khanzada were present in the courtroom.

The legal community is eagerly following the case about levy of sales tax on their income.

The court said it would issue a verdict in next hearing on September 10 after listening to arguments of all respondents.

IHC seeks report on Marghzar Zoo

IHC summoned directed climate change ministry to submit answer in next hearing in a petition against deteriorating condition of zoos in federal capital.

During the proceeding, Chief Justice Ather Minallah remarked that Islamabad Mayor Anser Aziz was opposing efforts being made for betterment of zoos. He said that birds were caged in a way that they could not even stretch their wings. “We should know about mayor’s interest in keeping animals in pain,” he said.

The court was informed that a standing committee was told that some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were obtaining verdicts against the city’s administration over the issue. The court inquired about condition of black bear in Marghzar zoo to which a zoo officer informed that it had recovered well from wounds.

Minallah said that elite class was not letting laws enforced while animals should be taken care off in a way similar to humans. A representative from ministry of environment told administration of Murghzar zoo put chains on doors when secretary went to visit it. Chief Justice replied that zoo administration would face a contempt of court action separately on that.

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The court asked representative of World Wildlife Federation (WWF) that whether zoo fulfilled international standards to which he replied in negation. The court said that they would not spare responsible authorities if any animal in zoo was harmed and issued notice to secretary climate change ministry to submit an answer in next hearing on September 2.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 30^th, 2019.