The Supreme Court of Pakistan has barred the Peshawar Cantonment Board from issuing property tax notices to the Evacuee Trust Property (ETP) Board, suspending a ruling of the Peshawar High Court (PHC).
A five-member constitutional bench headed by Justice Aminuddin Khan heard the case. During the proceedings, the apex court suspended the PHC decision and also issued a notice to the Peshawar Cantonment Board.
Counsel for the Evacuee Trust Property Board, Hafiz Ehsan, argued that ETP properties belong to the federal government, adding that the Cantonment Board cannot impose property tax on assets owned by the federation. He maintained that the Constitution clearly states that no other authority can levy tax on federal government property.
After hearing the arguments, the Supreme Court suspended the high court’s judgment and restrained the Cantonment Board from issuing property tax notices or collecting tax from the ETP Board until the next hearing.
