SC issues written order in mobile companies tax collection case

ISLAMABAD, Apr 2: The Supreme Court (SC) Tuesday issued a written order regarding hearing on a petition pertaining to extra tax collection from mobile companies.

The apex court directed the federal and provincial governments to submit detailed reports regarding the tax collection from the mobile companies during the last fiscal year.

The top court, in the order, raised following questions regarding the jurisdictions of tax collection under Article 184/3.

"Whether the tax collection come under Article 184/3? Whether the advance tax could be collected in accordance with law? Whether a federal excise duty could be imposed on provision of facilities by the mobile companies to the customers?".

The court noted that the Attorney General had stated that the matter of tax collection from mobile companies did not fall into the matters of public interests while the advocate generals of Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab also agreed with his opinion.

The order recommended to the Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) to constitute a three-member bench to hear the case.

It may be mentioned here that a two-member SC bench heard the matter on March 27.

(APP)