Sindh High Court Stops FBR From Taking Action Against Nomi Ansari in Tax Fraud Case

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Thursday stopped the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) from suing fashion designer Nomi Ansari in a tax fraud case involving over Rs. 1 billion. A two-member bench, led by Acting Chief Justice Muhammad Junaid Ghaffar, issued the order while hearing a petition challenging the registration of an FIR against the petitioners. Notices were issued to the FBR, the revenue division secretary, the FBR chairman, and the assistant commissioner inland revenue, with a directive to appear on May 23. The court also ordered the FBR official who registered the FIR to be present at the next hearing to justify his actions. The petitioners argued that the FIR violated an earlier interim order issued by the SHC in a related case filed by the designer. They contended that the FIR lacked legal authority and jurisdiction. The petition further stated that FBR had carried out an unlawful raid and sealed the designer’s premises. That sealing was already challenged in the SHC, which suspended the FBR’s action last month. Additionally, the counsel argued that prior notices and summons issued to the petitioners on the same matter were also suspended by the court in separate proceedings.