Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui, a judge of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), on Wednesday issued notice to Chairman Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and sought his reply in response to a writ petition filed by a member of Inland Revenue Service (IRS), who questioned the legality of Chairman's appointment. The court also sought a reply from Secretary Establishment and FBR by March 7.
The petitioner, Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, filed the writ petition through Barrister Zafarullah Khan, making Ali Arshad Hakeem, Chairman FBR and Federation of Pakistan through Secretary Establishment Division as respondents. Barrister Khan contended that that FBR is a statutory institution established for collection of revenue for social and economic development and for the fiscal year 2012-13, the revenue targets of the FBR is rupees 2380 billion.
He further pleaded, "any mal-administration, irregularity committed in any aspect in the administration of FBR definitely affects the sources of income needed for maintaining, upholding and ensuring the fundamental rights as enshrined in Chapter 2 of the Constitution 1973".
He contended that the proper functioning of FBR directly affects many facets of national life, including business, commerce, trade, import, export, education, health, employment and fundamental rights. Barrister Khan urged the court to declare the appointment of incumbent Chairman FBR illegal with the direction to Establishment Division Islamabad for the appointment on the slot by observing merit. Khan prayed, "During the pendency of the current writ petition the incumbent Chairman FBR may kindly be stopped from working at the said position". After issuing notices to all the respondents the court adjourned hearing of the case till March 07.
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