SC restores Sales Tax Amendment Act in erstwhile FATA, PATA

Granting a stay on the appeals filed by the Ghee and Steel Mills Association, the constitutional bench of the Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday restored the Sales Tax Amendment Act in the former FATA and PATA by suspending the Peshawar High Court’s (PHC) verdict, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

A five-member bench, headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan, heard the appeals.

The PHC had declared the Act in the former FATA and PATA null and void. 

In its petition, the Association had argued that a high court could not pass an order contrary to the legislation enacted by the parliament. 

Hafiz Ihsan Khokhar, counsel for the Association, said that the PHC had exceeded its limits. 

“Earlier, a pay order had to be presented at the time of customs clearance,” Khokhar said, adding, “But the high court ordered that from now on, a cheque would be presented. This was a violation of the law by the court.”

Issuing notices to the parties, the bench adjourned the case’s hearing for an indefinite time period. 

Reporter: Amanat Gishkori