A petition, seeking direction for chairman of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to scrutinise tax record of politicians for determining their total assets/income along with assessed amount of tax on them, was filed before the Supreme Court on Friday.
Advocate Sikandar Hayat Khan filed the petition under Article 184(3) of the constitution, which empowers the apex court to pass appropriate order in case any question of public importance is involved.
The petitioner also volunteered his services, saying that "at the time of my retirement in 1989, I was the senior most officer of the Income Tax group with best service record and training at home and abroad. I will assist the SC to find out the wealth/assets amassed by them which must be taxed in the public interest".
Describing tax evasion, the petitioner said that there are two aspects of tax evasion ie concealment of income and assets and income though declared but from unidentified means. However, in both cases it is subject to taxation. Sikandar has prayed the court for issuance of an appropriate direction to FBR chairman to protect the public revenue in national interest.
The petition says there is an impression that certain politicians had understated their assets, whereas their wives and dependent children have amassed huge assets. This requires due scrutiny by tax authorities who alone have the expertise to clarify such negative impression in public interest.
It is also desirable to have a correct valuation of the total assets of politicians as, in its absence, the burden of existing tax prayers increases because they are subjected to higher rates of taxation with a view to fill the gap between what they pay and what they ought to, the petition said.
Comments
Comments are closed.