LHC declares call-up notices by FBR illegal

LAHORE, Sep 02 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday declared call-up notices, issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) under the Anti-money Laundering Act, illegal.

Justice Shams Mehmood Mirza passed the orders while allowing dozens of petitions filed by SM Group of Industries and others against the call up notices by the FBR. The court had reserved verdict on June 30 after hearing arguments of the parties and it was announced on Friday.

The petitioners had contended that if a taxpayer did not declare his bank accounts, it did not come in the ambit of anti-money laundering act.

It was further argued that the FIR registered on the mere basis of bank accounts was a violation of the judgments of the Apex court. The petitioners submitted that the Anti-Money Laundering Act could not be used for the back-date cases. The FBR’s I&I Inland Revenue does not have the jurisdiction to hear cases lodged in 2020, they said, adding that they were issued call-up notices on the previous cases which were illegal.

However, FBR’s counsel submitted that call-up notices were issued as per law whereas the stance of the petitioners was also being heard.

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