KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued a notice to the alleged contemnor, Quadeerullah Saeed, Secretary IR-ST & FE (law, procedure and exemption) FBR (revenue division) Islamabad and directed him to file comments on a contempt application filed by M/s N.N Industries seeking a notification for zero rating facility on electricity.
A two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, was hearing the petition.
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that court had passed an order on submission of compliance report of the respondent wherein respondent, being a competent authority, stated that the matter was scrutinized and after completion of necessary requirement as per sales tax general order 117 of 2015 dated 14/07/2015, the verification report of the petitioner has been forwarded to the FBR for issuance of sales tax general order regarding the zero rating on electricity vide its letter dated 14/10/2016.
The petitioner stated that despite a clear directing till date no notification/STGO regarding the zero rating facility on electricity as recommended by the respondent has yet been issued therefore court may take action against abovementioned contemnor for defiance of the orders of the court.
Citing to Chairman, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue Regional Tax Office-1, Commissioner Inland Revenue Zone-II, Regional Tax Office-1, Deputy Commissioner Inland Revenue Enforcement Unit-II, Zone-II as respondents, the importer pleaded with the court to kindly declare that it is entitled for the zero rating on the consumption of utility bills as per amended SRO 1058 (I)/2011.