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Friday March 29, 2024

IHC restores Mushtaq Sukhera as Federal Tax Ombudsman

By Obaid Abrar Khan
June 15, 2019

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday restored Mushtaq Sukhera as federal tax ombudsman and issued a stay order on the federal government’s notification removing him from his post.

IHC chief justice took up the petition of Mushtaq Sukhera seeking his restoration on his post as federal tax ombudsman. During hearing the petitioner’s lawyer told the court that after taking oath only Supreme Judicial Council can suspend federal ombudsman.

After hearing initial arguments, IHC issued notices to the Law Ministry, secretary of the President of Pakistan, and the principal secretary of the prime minister of Pakistan and ordered them to submit their reply within two weeks.

IHC chief justice ordered Law Ministry notification removing Mushtaq Sukhera would remain suspended until the next hearing. The court also ordered that Mushtaq Sukhera could not exercise his authority as tax ombudsman until the next hearing despite being restored and adjourned the hearing. Former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in Punjab, Mushtaq Sukhera was appointed as federal tax ombudsman during tenure of PML-N in 2017.