The Punjab Excise and Taxation Department has served a notice to the late mother of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan at his Lahore residence for the assessment of luxury house tax, The News reported. The notice was issued on Thursday, stating that former prime minister Imran Khan has to clear arrears under the luxury tax, amounting to Rs3.6 million.
امپورٹڈ حکومت اور ان کے ہینڈلرز روز نئی پستی کو چھو رہے ہیں
شوکت خانم صاحبہ کی وفات کے 28 سال ہو گئے ہیں اور آج ان کے نام کا ایکسائز کا نوٹس جاری کر دیا گیا pic.twitter.com/FPmMXQTcIR
— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) April 13, 2023
The notice was issued in the name of Khan’s late mother, Shaukat Khanum, at the Zaman Park residence, where a two-member team from the Excise Department was dispatched to deliver the notice. However, the property continues to be in the name of Khanum, who passed away around 38 years ago in 1985 due to cancer.
The PTI chairman owes Rs3.6 million in taxes, and if no compliance with the notice is made, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) would be approached. However, an excise officer stated that in case of failure to comply with the notice, an ex-parte assessment will be conducted.
The Excise Department has denied any political victimization and added that an assessment of all luxury homes of two or more than two Kanals was decided to be conducted. However, the department did not comment when asked why they delayed the notice when the law came into effect via Finance Act, 2014.
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It is essential to mention that the Excise Department would not approach the Election Commission if Imran Khan does not cooperate as it does not fall under its domain. The matter raises concerns about the legal procedures for tax collection and ownership of property in the country.
