F.P Report
LAHORE: Lahore High Court Justice Ijaz-ul-Ahsan on Wednesday hearing a petition challenging an amendment in Income Tax Ordinance 2001 through Finance Bill 2012, issued notice to Chairman Federal Board of Revenue to submit reply till August 6.
A local company filed this petition through its counsel advocate Anwar Kamal and argued the new amendment made in Income Tax Ordinance was unlawful and against the spirit of fundamental rights of people. He argued according to new amendment in section 153 (A) of Income Tax Ordinance 2001 government had made one percent tax compulsory from distributors, wholesalers and dealers running different business. The petitioner said this was done with consulting concerning stakeholders and introduced it secretly.
The government introduced controversial clause in the ordinance which created serious problems for the business community and especially for small businesses, he said.
He said collection of one percent tax from everyone was a violation of Article 18 and 24 of the constitution.
The petitioner prayed to the court to declare null the clause 153-(A) by declaring it unlawful and against the constitution. He also made a request operations should be suspended till the final decision of the petition.
The judge after hearing initial arguments issued notice to federal board of revenue chairman with the directions to submit reply on August 6.