KARACHI: The Karachi Tax Bar Association has written to Rashid Sahib, requesting the urgent appointment of a dedicated Commissioner of Inland Revenue for Appeals-V in Karachi. The association highlights that the absence of a dedicated commissioner has led to significant delays in handling appeals and stay applications pertaining to the Appeals-V jurisdiction.
Initially, the additional charge of Appeals-V was assigned to Commissioner IR (Appeals-VII). However, due to a heavy workload, appeals suffered delays. Further complicating matters, the additional charge of Appeals-V was transferred from Commissioner IR (Appeals-VII) to Commissioner IR (Appeals-IV) on November 21, 2025. This shift has resulted in many appeals not being scheduled for hearing, leading to a growing backlog.
The association emphasizes that this administrative gap has severe consequences for litigating appellants. Partly heard appeals now require fresh hearings before a new forum, and pending stay applications will be reset. This practice is deemed inefficient and undermines natural justice principles, eroding taxpayer confidence.
Moreover, in the absence of a dedicated commissioner, the department has initiated coercive recovery proceedings without allowing for fair trials on appeals. The Karachi Tax Bar Association urges immediate intervention to appoint a dedicated Commissioner of Inland Revenue for Appeals-V Karachi to address these issues and uphold the integrity of the appellate system.
The association expresses confidence that addressing this critical issue will provide much-needed relief to taxpayers and practitioners.
