The CJ emphasizes that effective resolution of tax disputes is essential to strengthening public confidence
Referee Yahya Afridi. Photo: SC website
ISLAMABAD:
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has emphasized that the resolution of tax disputes is essential to strengthen public confidence and improve governance.
The chief justice made the remarks while chairing a consultative meeting aimed at improving the performance and harmonization of tax cases in the Supreme Court and throughout the country’s judicial system, an official statement said.
The meeting, convened by the National Judicial Committee (Policy Formulation), was attended by Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb as well as Shad Muhammad Khan, Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Task Force on Taxation.
Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Rashid Mahmood Langrial, the Registrar of the Supreme Court, and nominated judges of all five High Courts also attended the session.
The Chief Justice emphasized that effective resolution of tax disputes is essential to strengthen public confidence and improve governance.
During the meeting, Justice Aurangzeb briefed the participants about his recent judicial decision related to tax issues. He noted that repeated litigation places an unnecessary burden on the courts and leads to wastage of public resources. He further noted that government departments should refrain from filing appeals on issues that have already been decided by superior courts.
The FBR Chairman briefed the participants that steps would be taken to improve the presence, readiness and effectiveness of legal advisors and officials in tax matters.
He added that the FBR’s IT wing is working in coordination with the judiciary’s IT directorate to streamline data sharing. He also announced that director-level officials would be appointed to represent the FBR in each high court.
Besides, scrutiny committees will be established in each province to review references before they are filed, the statement said.
