The Sindh High Court (SHC) sought on Friday replies from the Sindh advocate general, provincial excise and taxation department, Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and others over a plea challenging the Sindh government's notices seeking property tax from Pakistan State Oil (PSO).
A two-member bench, comprising Justice Khadim Hussain M Shaikh and Justice Adnan Iqbal Chaudhry, was hearing the plea.
The petitioner's counsel, Danish Nayyer, claimed that the notices seeking property tax from PSO were illegal, adding that the oil company had leased the land from KPT and according to law, the land owner must pay the property tax.
He informed the court that the Sindh government has sent as many as four notices to PSO, seeking payments of Rs5 million, Rs61 million, Rs33 million and Rs27 million on account of property tax. He moved the court to nullify the notices.
The court sought replies from the Sindh advocate general, excise and taxation department, KPT and others by August 19.
Trade in residential areas
Separately, the bench issued notices to the Sindh government, Central deputy commissioner (DC), Central SSP and others over a plea against the restoration of trade activities in North Nazimabad's residential areas.
The petitioner's counsel maintained that the Supreme Court had banned all trade activities in residential areas, but they had resumed in North Nazimabad and other residential areas of Karachi. He further stated that houses were being turned into illegal godowns and warehouses with the alleged involvement of the authorities. The counsel added that the continuation of commercial activities in these areas was an inconvenience for residents.
The court issued notices to the Sindh government, Central DC, Central SSP and other parties, seeking a report on the matter within two weeks.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 18th, 2020.
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