LHC seeks Punjab govt’s reply on pleas against agricultural tax hike

LAHORE, Jun 10 (APP): The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Wednesday issued notices to the Punjab government and other respondents on petitions challenging the recent increase in agricultural tax, while declining a request to suspend the levy’s implementation at the preliminary stage.

Justice Hassan Nawaz Makhdoom heard petitions filed by Opposition MPA Ejaz Shafi and others, who sought to have the enhanced tax declared unlawful and unconstitutional.

During the proceedings, counsel for the petitioners argued that the Punjab government had increased agricultural tax rates without obtaining approval from the provincial assembly. He maintained that under the Punjab Agricultural Income Tax Act, any revision in tax rates must be placed before the assembly for consideration and approval.

He contended that the government had failed to comply with this mandatory legal requirement, rendering the impugned notifications illegal. Counsel further submitted that the agricultural community had been subjected to unconstitutional taxation measures that adversely affected farmers’ livelihoods and undermined economic stability protected under the Constitution.

The court was urged to strike down the notifications increasing agricultural tax on the grounds that they were unlawful and unconstitutional.

Following a preliminary hearing, the court issued notices to the Punjab government and other concerned parties and sought their responses for the next hearing.