Supreme Court (SC) while rejecting the appeal plea of importers against recovery of tax on methanol used in chemical on the basis of non challenging the ordinance has maintained if importers has objection over payment of tax then they should challenge the ordinance in subordinate court.
The appeal plea filed by the importers against recovery of tax on methanol came up for hearing before a three members bench of SC presided over by Justice Umar Ata Bandial Wednesday.
The counsel for importers of the chemical argued the methanol which is used in chemical is not intoxicant but it is toxic . As per law no tax can be levied on toxic thing. Alcohol is intoxicant and tax is leviable on every thing which is used therein. A formal ordinance has been promulgated with reference to tax on methanol. The importers have not challenged this ordinance.
Farooq H Naik later talking to media men outside the court said the importers will have to pay tax till any court decision comes on ordinance.
