ISLAMABAD: Member Judicial Nazir Ahmed of Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue has been deemed as the most favorite candidate for appointment as chairman of the tribunal, a tribunal’s senior officer said.
Talking to Customs Today, the tribunal’s officer said that Nazir Ahmed had been considered as favorite candidate for the chairman’s slot since he was the most senior member available at the tribunal from all stations.
Other than him, Shahid Maqsood and Shahid Iqbal also had chances to be appointed as chairman. However, they cannot be called favorite candidates since their working experience at the tribunal would not exceed more than three years each.
It is pertinent to mention that ATIR’s chairman was being awaited to be appointed following retirement of former chairman Javed Iqbal on March 9.
Due to vacant office of chairman, hundreds of cases were pending and there was no option even to announce dates of hearings without the new chairman.
Tribunal’s officials had demanded the ministry of law and justice to appoint new chairman of the body on immediate basis so it can resume its functions in smooth manners.
According to ATIR law and regulations, ATIR could not perform its routine functions in absence of chairman. However, it would start functioning fully once the chairman was appointed, they added.