ISLAMABAD (APP): The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the importers appeals filed against Sindh Government’s imposition of tax on imported methanol.
Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol, was a chemical and the simplest alcohol, which also sold for use as a motor fuel that was not blended with gasoline, diesel, other fuels, or petroleum products.
A three-member SC bench comprising Justice Umar Ata Bandial, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan heard the case.
During the course of proceedings, the counsel for Importers said that the methanol was not an intoxicating drink but it was a toxic substance. According to law, no tax could be imposed on a toxic item, he added.
Advocate Farooq H Naek counsel for the Sindh government said that Methanol was alcoholic substance and used in alcohol. Any alcoholic substance used in alcohol was taxable, he added.
He said that an ordinance had also been promulgated with regard to imposition of tax on methanol. The importers of methanol did not challenge the ordinance, he added.
The bench rejected the appeal against the tax and observed that if the aggrieved party have any objection, they should challenge the relevant ordinance in the lower court.
Later, Farooq Naek talking to reporters said that the court rejected the importers’ appeal on the ground that they did not challenge the ordinance. He said importers would have to pay tax till a court decision on the ordinance.
SC fines Rs 10,000 to lawyer over non preparation of case: The Supreme Court on Wednesday imposed Rs 10,000 fine to lawyer Shahab Sarki over non preparation of the case.
A three-member SC bench comprising Justice Umar Atta Bandial, Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah and Justice Amin-Ud-Din Khan heard the bail pleas of four accused allegedly involved in corruption.
Four accused namely Shahabuddin, Dileep Kumar, Masood Ahmed and Ahsan Ali Siyal, employees of Tehsil Municipal Office (TMO) Larkana were held by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) over misappropriation of funds of TMA by Town
Committee Bavrani, Larkan, Sindh.
During the course of proceedings, the counsel for the accused said that his clients had already submitted all the amount. All the money had been deposited in the accountability court, he added.
Upon this, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah said that bail could not be granted by just depositing corruption money. Accountability court was hearing bail cases after NAB laws amendment, he added.
Justice Bandial said that the accused had been on interim bail for two years.
The counsel pleaded the court to extend interim bail for six days and his clients would file appeals before the accountability court.
Upon this, Justice Bandial said that the apex court could not refer case to trial court after bypassing the high court.
The court could suspend the decision of the high court and referred the case back to the high court, he added.
