KARACHI: The hearing of dozens of petitions challenging the imposition of Regulatory Duty at a rate of 30 per cent on more than 400 items, was deferred for a day after Member Legal, FBR Dr Tariq addressed the court defending imposition of the new tax.
The Member Legal submitted that the measure was aimed at increasing the revenue of the federal government which were depleted to a dangerous level. He said that in other countries too, the Minister In-charge has the power to impose such taxes.
The counsel from Franklin Law Associates representing the petitioners said that the issue has been decided in Mustafa Impex case, 2016-SC 804.
The bench comprising Justice Munib Akhtar and Justice Omar Sial however due to paucity of time adjourned further hearing till Friday morning when it will hear final rebuttal by the petitioner side.
The same bench also ordered release of a Toyota Crown, Super saloon while allowing a petition seeking implementation of orders of the Special Customs Appellate Tribunal.
The bench earlier heard Ms Dil Khurram Shaheen advocate, counsel for petitioner Jahangir Tareen.