BUSIN' RECORDER, Collection of professional tax by cantonment boards illegal: SC @ weve || © © con 6) 2 rims OOOO®) ISLAMABAD: The op cout declared the colleton of profesional tax Cantonment Board Karahi from businesses Including restaurants, banksy and pouty frm eg threo judge bench, headed by Chief Justice Qazi Face Ise, on Friday, heardan appeal of ‘the Cantonment Board, Karahi, gunst the jadgment ofthe Sindh High Court (SHC). ‘The and given tothe eantonment board was given to the miltary fora spetle purpose, and shy are shopping malls being bal there, asked the CJP, observing that it wns not seen for commercial purposes. SBP properties: SChars Manora. Hyderabad Cantt boards from taking coercive steps Inthe last easing, the chief justice had questioned how a cantonnent board could impose ‘taxon professionals, “The additional attorney general of Pakistan had replied thatthe local government was also an cleted body and authorised to impose tases. The chit justice questioned if tax was mposed on lanes, wouldst be collected by alcal body? ‘The CIP had remarked that the court could not ignore the Constitution, and asked how the authority to cllect taxes could be given to someone ele, He remarked that only the federal and provincial governments could impose taxes. Justice thar Minalah had pointed out thatthe objection was that local government ‘vuld not impose tax under Article 163 of the Constitution ‘The ench upheld the decision ofthe SHC, which had nullified the collection of ‘rofessional tax by the Karachi Centonment Board. The court ordered the Karachi Be yet : foie wow comonmY HR USD PERO 2435 a INCOME TAX ete ore ting Ea ‘J Saray Get PateCCentonment Board to refund the eoleted professional tax tothe taxpayers. (Chet Justico Isa sai thatthe imposition of the tx bythe Cantonment board was a ‘lation of democracy and transparency Ha questioned the rational ofallosing ‘commercial activities inthe Cantonment reas, which were given tothe army fo specie purpose, He sld tha the Cantonment board's decisions were made by one person without any consultation or accountabiity: He suid that government agencies were returning to ther orginal limits and it ms expected that other agencies would follow suit. “The profesional taxis aprovinea ley that s imposed on profesionals traders and businesses according to their income brackets. Hoverer, some Cantonment boards across Pakistan have also heen collecting this ta fom the areas under their jurisdiction, aiming that they are not bound bythe provincial laws, ‘Thishas led to disputes anitgaton batween the Cantonment boards and the provincial excise and tation departments as vellas, between the Cantonment boards and the taspayers. ‘Some traders and vendors have complained tat they are bing asked to pay the same ta tice by both the provincial and Cantonment authorities, They have also argued that they are not profesional and should not be lable fortis tax ‘Copyright Business Recorder, 2029 Comments ca Honour climate financing, PM. asks developed world thar Collection of professional ax by cantonent boars illegal: Cs office sashes Tally engnizant of his vonsitatonal duties spenditnes: Higher mash-up payments may ig pressure: oP New regulatory sfegnants placed to protect investors: SECP chief ate issue sete Crue FTA with GC inlined gn ‘linsate response: Consens onda shasing xover Public servant: LHC explains had 81-1000 WB rates progress ay moderately sitstietory Cypher ease: Allendanee of accused marked, heating pul of il tomers Honour climate financing, PM asks developed world Fania Ales eng bey inate ste pn -artct rape antes tse Sein! US IMP paies Pakistan uth fr iy