SC seeks mobile tax collection details from federal, provincial govt

F.P. Report

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court Wednesday sought details from federal and provincial governments regarding tax collection from mobile companies during the period of last fiscal year and relevant tax laws.

Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked that why a vendor, laborer, plumber or barber should pay mobile taxes. How the government would decide that who would pay mobile tax and who not, he further said.

The judge observed that how a person who didn’t fall in required criteria would be bound to pay withholding tax. A two member bench of apex court headed by Justice Qazi Faez Isa conducted hearing on a case related to extra tax collection from mobile companies.

Justice Isa asked whether this matter come under Article of 184(3) of the Constitution. Tax collection by the governments couldn’t be suspended until the relevant tax laws exist.

At this attorney general pleaded before the bench that this was not a matter of public interests and didn’t fall in matters of basic human rights.

Justice Isa remarked that according to federal and provincial governments, the mobile tax collection didn’t fall under Article of 184(3) of Constitution.

However, the counsel for mobile companies argued that his client companies had removed the ten-percent service charges on customers in compliance of apex court orders in this regard.

During hearing, Qazi Faez Isa observed that earlier a three member bench of the apex court had ordered to suspend the tax collection and it would be better if a bench with the same strength would hear this matter now.

The representative of Punjab government contended that revenue of Rs80 billion couldn’t be collected due to suspension of tax collection.

Later, the bench adjourned hearing of the case to date in office.