Commerce Reporter :
The Balochistan High Court (BHC) on Saturday suspended the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) notification for transferring tax collection of key industrialists and businessmen to Karachi. A division bench of the BHC comprising chief justice BHC, Mr. Justice Jamal Mandokhail, and Mr. Justice Abdul Hameed Baloch on a petition filed by businessmen in Quetta. The bench suspended the notification until the next hearing of the case.
BHC suspends FBR notification of tax collection in Karachi
Through a notification on 5th August 2020, the FBR transferred tax payments of 38 key industrialists and businessmen to Karachi. Earlier, they were depositing their taxes in FBR office Quetta. Hajvairy Steel Industries challenged the notification through its counsel Muhammad Amir Rana Advocate in the BHC.
The Counsel, Muhammad Amir Rana argued that the tax collection of major taxpayers has been transferred to Karachi without the taking into confidence the provincial government. He mentioned that by doing so, the jurisdiction of the court has also been violated. Now the aggrieved person can only approach the Sindh High Court (SHC).
Notices issuedÂ
The court ordered to issue notices to the Attorney General and Advocate General Balochistan in this respect.
Office bearers of the Balochistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) had also called on Chief Commissioner Income Tax Quetta Region to review the decision a few days back. It is difficult for the business community to deposit their taxes in Karachi, they argued.
Industrialists asked to establish offices in BalochistanÂ
The Counsel mentioned that businessmen from Karachi and other parts of the country have established their industries in Hub, Balochistan’s industrial city. However, they have been depositing taxes in Karachi. Mr. Rana pointed out that the industrialists and factory owners should open their offices in Balochistan.
This will create job opportunities for local people here, he argued.
BHC suspends FBR notification of tax collection in Karachi
