Daily Times

KARACHI: Sindh government has filed an appeal before the Appellate Tribunal of Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) against deduction of at least Rs 6.13 billion from the accounts of Excise and Taxation Department during the financial year 2015-16, it is learnt. Excise and Taxation Department in its appeal submitted before the Appellate Tribunal to direct authorities to return Sindh’s money at the earliest. “If Appellate Tribunal fails to provide relief to Sindh province, then we will approach superior the judiciary to get justice,” sources said. PPP leadership, bureaucracy and provincial administration are on same page to fight the case with the federal government, sources say. Soon after the deduction, Sindh government gave a strong message to the federal government as around eight authorities including provincial ministers, advisors and special assistants addressed a press conference condemning FBR’s move. Talking to Daily Times, Secretary Excise and Taxation Abdul Rahim Shaikh said FBR has deducted at least Rs 6 billion at source from the accounts of Excise and Taxation Department under the head of Withholding Tax. “The officials of excise and finance departments of Sindh government have prepared a working paper and the case would be put before Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah in his visit to federal capital,” the secretary said. “When FBR fails to meet its tax collection targets, they make deductions from the accounts of provinces. We would also approach superior judiciary against federal government’s move and it is hoped that Sindh province would get justice,” he added.