Category: Legal Judicial

The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has given directives for the refunding of Excessive Excise Duty to 24 complaints by the Large Taxpayers’ Office (LTO) Karachi in the Pak Suzuki Motor Company case.

A total of 24 complaints were filed against the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Islamabad and Pak Suzuki Motor Company Limited for 17 percent sales tax on the purchase of Suzuki Cultus 998 cc vehicles after July 2021 instead of 12.5 percent which was the actual rate at that time. In this way, the taxpayers had to pay more than what was actually due.

The FTO had declared that collection of the sales tax in excess of being legislated in the Finance Act 2021 and the delay in settling the tax refund were tantamount to maladministration. The President of Pakistan had upheld the decision and rejected the FBR’s pleas against the recommendation for a refund.

Representatives of LTO Karachi and Pak Suzuki Motor Company have agreed to resolve the issue under the following implementations:

i. Pak Suzuki will furnish the refund claims to LTO Karachi in respect of the refund due to the subject complaint as per the list provided by the FTO office.

ii. The refund claim will be accompanied by the relevant invoices and proof of tax paid on these invoices.

iii. After receiving the refund claim, LTO Karachi will process it as per law and issue a refund to Pak Suzuki Motor Company.

iv. Pak Suzuki Motor Company will then remit the amount to all the complainants in accordance with their due shares and will submit its proof of payment to LTO Karachi and the FTO Office for the final implementation of the order.

v. The FTO, Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah, had directed Advisor Income Tax Karachi to hold meetings with the stakeholders for the smooth implementation of the recommendations in the complaints of overcharge of tax by M/s Pak Suzuki.

Source: Pro Pakistan

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain has assumed the additional charge of Ministry of Law and Justice.

A notification to this effect was issued by the Cabinet Division.

Chaudhry Fawad Hussain visited the Ministry of Law and Justice where he was briefed about the ministry’s affairs by the Secretary Law.

Source: Radio Pakistan

The Closing Session of Pakistan Navy’s Major Maritime Exercise SEASPARK-2022 held in Karachi.

The Exercise was aimed to assess the combat readiness and operational preparedness of Pakistan Navy and validate war plans duly aligned with National Security Policy and military strategies while synergizing Naval Operations with Land and Air operations in conflict situations.

The exercise also afforded valuable opportunity to corroborate various operational concepts and re-align conceptual thought process in sync with operations as well as strategic imperatives.

Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi was the Chief Guest. The exercise was conducted in North Arabian Sea to validate operational plans designed under realities of ever-evolving geo-strategic environment.

Addressing the event the Naval Chief said the regional environment that continues to be infested with massive competition of interest, political instabilities and simmering conflict. He stressed the evolving character of war under the Grey Hybrid scenarios that possess complexity in understanding enemy’s behaviour and determining response possibilities.

He said that Pakistan Navy is vigilant to offset enemy’s quantitative leverages through superior professionalism, innovative tactics, perseverance and above all faith in Allah SWT.

He reiterated the resolve that Pakistan Navy stands fully prepared to ensure seaward defence and safeguard national maritime interest at all costs.

The session of the exercise was attended by high ranking officers from the Services and notable representatives from various Ministries.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Turkey has appreciated Pakistan Navy’s efforts and initiatives in support of collaborative maritime security in the region.

The appreciation came from the Chief of General Staff Turkish Armed Forces, who called on Naval Chief Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi in Islamabad today [Thursday].

During the one-on-one meeting, matters pertaining to mutual interest, including bilateral collaborations and regional maritime security came under discussion.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Flawless administrative and security arrangements have been made for the two-day 48th Session of OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Islamabad, beginning from Tuesday.

This was stated by Foreign Office Spokesperson Asim Iftikhar while speaking at his weekly news briefing in Islamabad.

He said theme of the Session – “Partnering for Unity, Justice, and Development” – represents our commitment to foster unity within the Ummah, advance the cause of justice for all Muslims, and promote prosperity and sustainable development for OIC Member States.

The Spokesperson said Prime Minister Imran Khan will make keynote address at the Inaugural Session.

He said Pakistan will seek to build partnerships and bridges of cooperation across the Islamic world to promote collective interests of the Ummah and to address the myriad of challenges confronting Muslims.

Source: Radio Pakistan

Minister for Human Rights Dr. Shireen Mazari says Pakistan has taken concrete steps towards strengthening legislation in order to address issues of violence against women, domestic abuse, harassment, social protection, economic participation and inheritance.

In her address to the 66th Session of the UN Commission on Status of Women virtually today [Wednesday], she said these legislations include Protection against Harassment of Women at Workplace Act and Enforcement of Women’s Property Rights Act.

Dr. Shireen Mazari said that protection and promotion of the rights of women is one of the key pillars of Pakistan’s development paradigm and the constitution guarantees fundamental rights to both men and women against all forms of discrimination, exploitation and marginalization.

Source: Radio Pakistan