CJP takes notice on 40% mobile card taxes.

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court took notice of unreasonable tax deduction from mobile phones “pre-paid calling cards and easy load” on Thursday when Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar sought justification from the quarters concerned for the high cess.

The chief justice took notice of the matter while he was heading a five-judge bench hearing a different case.

Soon after the closing of the case, the chief justice called Attorney General (AG) Ashtar Ausaf and highlighted public complaints that an unreasonable and high amount of tax/other charges were being deducted from the topping up of the balance through easy load and scratch cards besides taxes on the calls.

The chief justice asked the AG to inform the court about the taxes and other charges being deducted on every mobile phone charge, saying the court had been told that for each Rs100 charge, Rs40 was deducted in the form of different taxes.

“Is this not exploitation?” Chief Justice Nisar wondered and said the matter involved public interest.

Later while dictating the order, the chief justice issued a notice to the AG to explain what amount was being deducted or taxed on the calling card/easy load of Rs100.

He also issued notices to the Federal Board of Revenue and all mobile phone service companies operating in the country. The matter has been fixed for hearing before a regular bench comprising three judges on May 8. - Resource: Dawn News.