CJ highlights the impact of tax disputes on the economy and calls for better coordination to resolve tax disputes
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi. Photo: Supreme Court of Pakistan/Archive
Chief Justice of Pakistan Yahya Afridi has called for better coordination between tax authorities and the judiciary and highlighted the need to prioritize and expedite high-value and long-pending tax cases. It also emphasized the establishment of a permanent institutional framework to resolve such disputes, according to an official statement from the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice made the comments on Saturday while chairing a high-level meeting focused on developing a sustained institutional mechanism to address high-value and long-pending tax disputes.
The meeting was attended by Supreme Court Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman, FBR Legal Member and other senior officials. Participants held detailed discussions on developing a sustained institutional mechanism to address complex tax litigation, with emphasis on reducing case backlogs, improving legal certainty and safeguarding public revenue.
Read: CJP Afridi calls for institutional harmony and defense of the rule of law
“Protracted tax litigation not only limits fiscal space but also undermines investor confidence and economic stability,” the statement quoted the CJP as saying. He stressed the commitment of the judiciary to support reforms that promote timely justice, efficiency and predictability, particularly in cases with a direct impact on the national economy.
According to the statement, discussions focused on strategies including prioritizing and expediting high-risk tax cases, improving coordination between tax authorities and the justice system, strengthening legal preparedness and case management, and exploring procedural and institutional measures to ensure consistency and speed in adjudication.
The meeting was described as part of a broader justice sector reform agenda aimed at improving governance, reducing systemic delays and aligning judicial processes with Pakistan’s economic and development priorities.
