Office of the Prime Minister and Ministry of Law and Justice have not filed comments before Peshawar High Court (PHC) in a writ petition moved for disciplinary proceedings against a senior BS-21 Official working in Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue, Islamabad.
It is reliably learnt that a KPK based taxpayer of Pakistan has approached the prime minister and urged that disciplinary proceedings may be initiated against officer working as Member in ATIR Islamabad. Due to long silence on the part of PM Office, a petition has been moved in PHC against Prime Minister of Pakistan, PS to PM, SA to PM on Law, Secretary Law, SA to PM on Revenue, Chairman FBR, Chairman ATIR and Member ATIR.
Sources further told this correspondent despite categorical orders issued by PHC, office of the prime minister, Secretary Law, SA to PM on Law, SA to PM on Revenue and Member ATIR, are seemed to be reluctant to file comments in a petition moved against avoidance of disciplinary proceedings.
Aggrieved taxpayer Nazir Bhatti told this correspondent that accountability law should be applicable across the board without any fear and favour. Strict action should be taken by the competent authorities (Prime Minister) against corrupt, inefficient and incompetent public servants so that their punishment might serve as a warning for those who might try to do illegal activities in the future.
Petitioner states "It is invariably known that a Judge finally speaks through his judgment. Judiciary is a vital component of the state. The judicature has to act as a neutral umpire who keeps a check on the exercise of power by other organs of the state so as to ensure that the rights of citizens/persons are not affected and trampled contrarily to law. ATIR is the Final Fact Finding Forum in the hierarchy of Taxation laws, therefore, it is bound to discharge its functions diligently.
The petitioner accused that the facts in the instant case unambiguously proves that it is a unique case of novel nature, which is nothing but a classic example of bureaucratic incompetency, inefficiency and corrupt practices, wherein one of senior official is involved in severe mal-administration of justice with the innocent taxpayer of Pakistan solely for some hidden motives. Taxpayer citizens of Pakistan honestly and sincerely believe that office of the PM is committed to eradicate corruption across the country by using all its resources. People of Pakistan must be provided justice by all organs of state and everybody has to work honestly, fairly and justly for purpose of building of National Character: Petitioner added.
PHC ordered that let parawise comments from respondents be called for, so as to reach this Court within a fortnight. Deputy Attorney General present in the Court in some other cases, accepted notice on behalf of respondents and ensured availability of comments within above time: PHC added.