Law: Punjab Urban Immovable Property Tax Rules, 1958

Section: 16

THIS JUDGMENT DELIVERED BY: SHAHID KARIM, JUSTICE:---.--- This petition under Article 199 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973 challenges the demand for property tax from the petitioner. In the beginning the challenge was made to the demand of an amount of Rs.10,693,881/- for the year 2014-15. During the course of the proceedings in the instant constitutional petition, another show cause notice under Section 16 of the Punjab Urban Immovable Property Tax Act, 1958 (Act, 1958) dated 13.12.2017 was produced by the respondents wherein a sum of Rs.356,944,90/- has been alleged to be due from the petitioner on account of property tax and its arrears. 2. The petitioner, Pakistan Expo Centers (Pvt) Ltd. (Expo) is a company jointly owned by the Federal Government and Government of the Punjab. The Federal Government approximately owns 98% shares whereas Government of the Punjab owns 2% shares. The scheme of investment in Expo envisioned that the Government of the Punjab would make available the land for the construction of an Expo Centre. The Punjab Government would periodically pay an amount equivalent to the lease money for the land to Expo Lahore as share subscription money against which shares would be issued to the Punjab government. In this manner, the shareholding of the Government of the Punjab would gradually increase in the company. This is encapsulated in the memorandum of association of Expo and the description of land to be leased out to Expo was also given in the memorandum of association. The primary purpose of company is to provide export oriented companies a facility to promote their products. It is the case of Expo that the company serves an important national purpose, that is, the promotion of exports and the following objects given in the memorandum of association lend actuality to the purpose of Expo: iv. "to provide a platform on International standards to enable the exporting companies, foreign manufacturers and traders to effectively introduce and market their producers, services and business, particularly relating to, but not limited to exports from Pakistan. v. to contribute to the improvement of economic situation of the…

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