In a significant step toward resolving long-pending revenue disputes, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) has disposed of tax-related cases amounting to over Rs 600 billion over the past two months, while also lifting stay orders on several major cases.
According to an official report released Tuesday, a special division bench comprising Justice Muhammad Azam Khan and Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas has concluded proceedings on cases valued at Rs 424 billion. This initiative follows the directions issued by Acting Chief Justice Sardar Sarfraz Dogar, who ordered the formation of special benches to expedite the disposal of tax and revenue litigation.
In parallel efforts, another bench led by Justice Babar Sattar and Justice Sardar Ijaz Ishaq Khan resolved 94 tax recovery cases, collectively worth Rs 150 billion. Meanwhile, Acting Chief Justice Dogar, along with Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas, lifted stay orders on additional tax disputes valued at Rs 36 billion.
The specially constituted division benches completed hearings in 173 cases within a two-month span, issuing verdicts across the board to unclog the court’s tax docket. Since January, Justice Muhammad Azam Khan — who took his oath earlier this year — and Justice Inaam Ameen Minhas have jointly heard 20 tax-related cases. Their pace of adjudication is reportedly the highest among their peers on the IHC bench.
These developments mark a notable acceleration in the judiciary’s efforts to address tax litigation and enhance revenue recovery processes.
