ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Wednesday expressed annoyance over the Federal Board of Revenue and grilled its Acting Chairperson Nosheen Javed Amjad for failing to submit inquiry report in the tax refund case within stipulated time.
The court had earlier directed the FBR to complete the inquiry in illegal tax refund case within two weeks.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed asked the FBR officials about the absence of FBR Chairman Shabbar Zaidi from the court. The acting chairperson informed the court that he was ill and admitted to a hospital.
“I know how ill he is,” the chief justice remarked. “We had directed him to complete the inquiry in illegal tax refund case, but no inquiry has been conducted so far.”
CJP Gulzar continued, “We are not here to listen to stories… billions of rupees have been plundered and that FBR is not bothered about it. If you don’t want to work, then leave the seat.”
The acting FBR chairperson said that inquiry was underway following the approval of Prime Minister’s Office.
Justice Gulzar observed that the FBR was busy in “other work” but was not paying heed to the court orders. “Had the money gone from your own pocket, you wouldn’t be spending a single minute at home.”
The court adjourned the hearing for two weeks.
