ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday reserved its judgment on a suo moto notice regarding imposition of additional one percent General Sales Tax (GST) and increase in prices of petroleum products.
A three-member bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry initiated hearing of the case on Thursday.
During case proceeding, the chief justice remarked that one percent increase in GST led to 15 percent surge in prices. He said that court is not stopping the government from imposing the tax but it should work within constitutional limits.
The chief justice said that the way Federal Board of Revenue imposed 1% increase in the GST is unacceptable. He remarked that if ‘interim’ procedure of tax imposition allowed once, parliament’s role will remain no more affective.
On the other hand, the counsel for OGRA Salman Akram Raja told court that government member cannot oppose budget recommendations under article 63 (A) of the Constitution.
Akram said that authorities were sure that GST hike will be approved, thus, prices were increased immediately.
On the conclusion, the Chief Justice said the court will deliver its short verdict on Friday (tomorrow).
DND
