A number of infuriated lawyers reportedly attacked the office of the income tax commissioner in Faisalabad on Monday and caused damaged to furniture and windowpanes besides manhandling the staff.
The trouble erupted when some lawyers reportedly exchanged hot words with the Income Tax Commissioner Nasir Khan during the proceedings of a case, blaming him for “unnecessary delays and objections” and using “coercive measures”.
The commissioner had reportedly objected to the lawyers’ contention, pointing out that he was discharging duties “strictly in consonance with law”.
On this the lawyers became enraged and attacked the income tax commissioner who immediately moved out of his office and took shelter in another room.
In the meantime, a group lawyers from District Bar Association (DBA) Faisalabad also rushed at the income tax complex to join the protest of their colleagues.
Realizing the sensitivity of the situation, the income tax administration closed both the main gates of the complex and kept the angry lawyers from entering the premises.
The lawyers then gathered outside the gate of the income tax office and staged a demonstration.
Income Tax Assistant Commissioner (Headquarter) Sajjad Amjad accused the lawyers of harassment, ransacking the income tax commissioner’s office, hurling threats and breaking locks of income tax office gates.
“We have contacted the FBR Headquarters and after seeking the instructions we will take legal action against the attacking lawyers,” he added.
The income tax administration will also move to the Punjab Bar Council for taking disciplinary action against those lawyers who have taken law into hands, cause damage to furniture, fixture of IT office and involved in hooliganism, he said.
A formal complaint has also been moved to the Civil Line Police Station for registration of case against the lawyers involved in Monday incident, he added.
