ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has strongly criticised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for repeatedly filing unnecessary and weak legal cases, calling the practice a waste of court time and public funds.
In a detailed judgment, Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb highlighted the need for independent review committees within FBR, comprising a retired senior judge, an experienced tax expert, and respected current or former FBR officers. These committees will evaluate every case before it is filed in higher courts to ensure only meritorious petitions proceed.
A three-member bench, led by Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan, dismissed an FBR petition involving a taxpayer-related matter. The court noted that FBR and other government departments often appeal legal issues already settled by higher courts, overloading the judicial system and delaying critical cases such as criminal trials and long-pending civil disputes.
The Supreme Court emphasized that filing baseless petitions undermines the constitutional promise of speedy justice, disrespects past rulings, and results in unnecessary legal expenses borne by public funds. Officials approving frivolous petitions may be required to justify their decisions, and the court reserved the right to impose financial penalties in serious instances.
The judgment serves as a stern warning to FBR: the state must act as a responsible litigant, carrying out proper legal review before approaching the courts, and avoid filing petitions where the outcome is already clearly established by law.
