Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday remarked that it appeared from lack of seriousness on part of FBR in pursuing the cases that some ‘nomads’ were running the tax department. “Authorities concerned have no interest in cases … their interest lies somewhere else rather than their job,” the court further observed as a three-member bench presided over by Justice Ijaz Afzal took up for hearing a suo motu notice case. During the course of hearing, Justice Ijaz Afzal Khan remarked no legal assistance was provided by the FBR at any judicial forum. Justice Ijaz ul Ahsan remarked that most of the cases pertained to the FBR but its counsels were not prepared to give arguments. Additional Attorney General Rana Waqar told the court that numbers of cases were increasing with each passing day and that steps were being taken to improve the situation. The court, while seeking reply from the attorney general, adjourned the hearing until after Eid holidays. Separately, upon completion of 45 days of Panama leaks investigation, the joint investigation team (JIT) will submit its third report to SC on Thursday (today). During the previous hearings, the SC observed that investigation was being carried out in right direction and that there will be no compromise on the stipulated timeframe of 60 days. It is vital to mention here that SC has already dismissed the plea of Hussain Nawaz against video recording and photo leak. Remarking that audio and video recordings cannot be presented as evidence before court, the SC observed that only written replies will have the legal status.

Published in Daily Times, June 22nd, 2017.