ISLAMABAD – Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar has urged newly appointed appellate tribunal members to voluntarily recuse themselves from tax cases where their past affiliations could raise conflict of interest concerns.
Tarar’s comments come amid growing criticism over the selection of 15 tribunal members without using the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC). Instead, a special committee led by Justice (Retd) Mushir Alam and other retired officials made the appointments earlier this year.
The law minister defended the process, stating that global consulting firm AT Kearney oversaw the selection to ensure neutrality. However, he acknowledged worries about appointees’ previous roles with tax advisory firms and emphasized the importance of following “not before me” protocols when potential conflicts arise.
Legal experts, including Supreme Court advocate Dr. Ikramul Haq, have raised alarms about the members’ qualifications and impartiality. He also suggested that tax tribunals should function under the supervision of the judiciary rather than the executive branch for greater independence.
The stakes are high, as nearly Rs4 trillion in tax disputes remain unresolved at various appeal stages. The government has pledged to recover at least Rs400 billion by June, with pressure mounting from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to resolve key cases and boost revenue.
Meanwhile, the Islamabad High Court has temporarily held the tribunal appointments in limbo, responding to a legal challenge that claims the hiring process lacked transparency and bypassed constitutional norms. The case has prompted the court to summon top officials, including the Law Ministry secretary and FPSC chairman, for further hearings.