Property tax collection by Cantonment Boards declared illegal by SHC

The Sindh High Court declared the collection of property tax by Cantonment Boards as illegal.

The Sindh High Court heard the petition against the collection of property tax on behalf of the Cantonment Boards, in which the lawyers of the Cantonment Boards appeared in the court.

During the hearing, the lawyer for the petitioner stated that after the 18th Amendment, the Cantonment Boards were not empowered to collect property tax. 

During the hearing, the lawyer for the petitioner said that after the 18th Amendment, the cantonment boards are not empowered to collect property tax. On December 4, 2018, notices were given to various shops; tomorrow is the last day to submit property tax. On December 31, 2018, Cantonment issued a demand notice. Cantonment Board started pressing for collection of property tax in January 2019. Cantonment Board cannot collect property tax.

After hearing the arguments of the parties, the court declared the collection of property tax by the cantonment boards illegal and said that after the 18th Amendment, the taxes collected by the cantonment boards could be withdrawn by the residents.

However, the court suspended the execution of the decision for three days upon the request of the lawyer of the Cantonment Boards.