IHC says it didn't stop authorities from blocking SIMs
Pakistan
Fixes hearing on a plea for May 22
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Islamabad High Court Chief Justice Aamer Farooq said on Friday the court did not stop authorities from blocking SIMs but barred them from taking action against a private company.
The Islamabad High Court conducted hearing of a petition against an injunction to stop action against a private company related to SIM blocking.
As the hearing started, IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq remarked that media did not report court proceedings in a correct way.
The attorney general said Section 144 provided the complete information relating to tax. "One whose income will be less will obviously not apply, everything is also clear regarding NTN number."
Justice Farooq inquired whether those ordinary workers having a kiosk would be included in tax net? The attorney general replied, "Definitely they will not be issued notices by the FBR."
The chief justice inquired if somebody was not a taxpayer and his son or daughter was using the SIM in his name, then what would be done with them? "What will the poor man do who had not registered himself?
The attorney general replied, "No poor man will get FBR notice. Notices are being issued to non-filers from November 2023. If a person submits a reply or satisfies the FBR after the notice is issued, the SIM will be restored."
The IHC CJ remarked that people were fearing that the FBR would not spare anyone.
Referring to different cases relating to tax, the attorney general said the court had to see membership of the company and how many shares did a Pakistani had in the company? He then requested the court to set aside its order.
The court remarked that the order was misreported in media. The court said it did not prevent blocking of SIMS, it only prevented the action against the private company.
"Notice is being issued on your request. When do you want it to be fixed for hearing?" the court asked.
The attorney general took the stance that he had no idea. He said he had so many cases and the court could fix the hearing on May 22 or 23 next week.
The IHC CJ remarked that the main case was scheduled for May 27. The attorney general said a date before May 27 could be fixed by court.
Later, the court issued a notice and fixed the case for May 22 for hearing.
