October 12, 2018 (MLN): The Federal Minister for Law and justice, Senator Dr. Farogh Naseem has agreed to the hiring of a basic pay scale (BPS) 21 Accountant Member via contract hiring, for the Tax Bar Association.
The decision was concluded during a meeting with the delegation of Tax Bar Association Karachi, led by Mr. Abdul Qadir Memon on Thursday. In this meeting, Dr. Naseem was apprised regarding the issues faced by the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue due to shortage of Judicial Members.
The Delegation suggested that capacity building measure for Fiscal Law Officers must be undertaken. Moreover, they stressed on the need to empower the tribunals with contempt as a tool to implement orders and a Bill of Rights for the taxpayers.
The Federal Minister assured the delegation of his support and asked for detailed plans on certain suggestions.
He was of the view that integrity of Commissioners was of great importance in the matters of taxes. He proposed to the delegation that video and tape recording of the court/tribunal proceedings would be helpful to keep a record of court proceedings
The Tax Bar Complained of the unpunctuality of the Members of the Tribunals to which the Federal Minister Proposed that the Tribunals should function from 9 am and if this is not observed he would introduce a biometric system to assure timely attendance.
The Federal Minister emphasized the need for a powerful and independent Tribunal with competent and honest members
