In a rare reversal of events, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Yahya Afridi and the Federal Minister of Finance and Revenue Sensator Muhammad Aurangzeb have met face to face, overlying debate in legal circles about such commitment. The meeting between the judiciary’s top office and the government’s financial rudder emphasized the need for "Coordinated effort" Between the judiciary and the exercise of maintaining the rule of law and protecting citizens’ rights. The unusual interaction held without the lawyer of Pakistan (AGP) Mansoor Awan present was accompanied by an official photograph and press release, a step that many attorneys believe was "unsolicited to" And filled with optics that blur the fine line between the judiciary and the exercise. The meeting emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts between the judiciary and the exercise of maintaining the rule of law and protecting citizens’ fundamental rights. Some insiders point out that CJP Afridi and Aurangzeb are also former college fellows, which emphasizes that the meeting should be seen in that light. Nevertheless, such engagements are for many lawyers "against legal norms"Especially when the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), which operates under the Ministry of Finance, is one of the biggest lawsuits before the Supreme Court. FBR spots in Spotlight meanwhile, the concerns are already high over the function of alternative dispute resolution committees (ADRCs) bodies working under FBR’s administrative control to solve tax related issues, especially those involving state-owned companies (SOES). Just last month, a bench led by CJP Afridi ordered a stay on the case in all cases pending before ADRCS. The court also marked the concerns of how ADRC members were appointed, instructing FBR to seek input from all stakeholders before completing the appointment frame. The case will be heard again on September 8th. A lawyer representing a SOE argued that the ADRC mechanism had proven "Destructive" For such companies. "They get crushed with taxation and have no remedy against ADRC," He said, claiming billions of rupees in taxes had been recovered in June without legally required messages to meet the income targets.
"All profit-making soe’s are destroyed," He added while another lawyer claimed that the ADRCs must operate independently and free of FBR influence to have credibility. Court’s independence concerns Since the passage of the 26th constitutional amendment, legal experts have expressed turmoil over what they see as growing performing dominance over the judiciary. Even tax lawyers complain that higher courts had suffered relief to individuals who are concerned with FBR orders. For example, Sindh High Court has allegedly handed hundreds of judgments to FBR’s advantage. On SC, the judges with expertise within the Income Act are often not assigned to such issues. Based on this, the optics of the CJP meeting of the Finance Minister have uncontrolled some lawyers who fear it may send the wrong signal to business stakeholders if cases await judgment in the point of view. They claim that the country’s top judge should avoid creating any perception that the judiciary and the director are "On the same page" When it comes to revenue collection. However, it is also relevant to mention that CJP Afridi has shown a willingness to engage across the political spectrum. In recent weeks he has also met with PTI leader Omar Ayub and Barrister Gohar.
