PCB terms FBR’s actions illegal

Cricket board’s bank account seized after non-payment of withholding tax.

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has hit back at the FBR after the latter seized the cricket board’s bank account and recovered Rs10.8m worth of unpaid withholding tax.

According to FBR officials, the PCB owed withholding tax worth Rs30m and termed the move necessary after the board failed to respond to reminders.

“The FBR has taken this action after the PCB ignored all tax notices issued by the FBR,” an FBR official told The Express Tribune. “The accounts will be restored after the deduction of withholding tax.”

The PCB, however, termed this action illegal and denied FBR’s claims that it was sent reminders prior to the action.

“The FBR didn’t serve any notice to the PCB before recovering money from the PCB’s bank account and an opportunity of being heard was required before doing such act,” read a PCB press release.

“In the presence of the issued stay from the honourable appellate tribunal inland revenues in favour of the PCB, recovery of this amount from the board’s bank account is an illegal act.”