Tax matters hearing: RTO officials’ absence irks ATIR Multan bench

Business Recorder reported that the Multan Bench of the Appellate Tribunal Inland Revenue (ATIR) expressed strong displeasure on Tuesday after departmental representatives from RTO Bahawalpur and RTO Sahiwal failed to attend tax cases listed before it. The bench, led by Presiding Member Khurram Shahbaz Butt with Member Naveed Zafar Khan, treated the absences with considerable concern.

The bench also objected to Rao Talha Javed, an Assistant Commissioner from Multan, who appeared for those offices without the authorisation the law requires. After the Chief Commissioners Inland Revenue for Bahawalpur and Sahiwal assured the tribunal that proper representation would be provided, the bench adjourned the matters without recording attendance. The cases have been relisted for 20.08.2026.

Legal circles have flagged a growing trend of representatives skipping tribunal hearings and unauthorised officers filling in for them. Such conduct has drawn critical remarks repeatedly from several ATIR benches and the High Courts of Pakistan.