LAHORE: The Lahore High Court on Thursday reserved verdict on a Pakistan Cricket Board`s petition against levy of over Rs60 million property tax by excise department.

Lawyers of the Punjab government and the PCB concluded their arguments before Justice Ibadur Rehman Lodhi reserved the ruling.

Representing the board, Advocate Taffazul Haider Rizvi argued that the excise department sent it a notice to pay Rs60 million property tax in terms of its office atQadhafi Stadium. He said the Punjab government was the owner of the property in question and tax could not be levied on such property.

He asked the court to set aside the tax notice issued by the excise department for being illegal.

An assistant advocate general argued that the tax was not levied on government-owned properties if the control of the property was also with the government. He said the PCB had obtained the said property on lease from the government.

Therefore, he said, the property was in control of the PCB.

The law officer pointed out that the Board had been earning hugemoney by renting out its premises for commercial use like marriage halls, restaurants and shops. All these activities were subject to taxation, he said and added that property tax of Rs60 million was due on the board since 1999.

REPLY SOUGHT: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought a reply from the Punjab government on a petition seeking registration of drug addicts and establishment of rehabilitation centres for them as enshrined in Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997.

In a public interest litigation petition filed by Rida Qazi, it was stated that after the 18th amendment passed in 2010, the provincialmoney by renting out its premises for commercial use like marriage halls, restaurants and shops. All these activities were subject to taxation, he said and added that property tax of Rs60 million was due on the board since 1999.

REPLY SOUGHT: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought a reply from the Punjab government on a petition seeking registration of drug addicts and establishment of rehabilitation centres for them as enshrined in Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997.

In a public interest litigation petition filed by Rida Qazi, it was stated that after the 18th amendment passed in 2010, the provincialmoney by renting out its premises for commercial use like marriage halls, restaurants and shops. All these activities were subject to taxation, he said and added that property tax of Rs60 million was due on the board since 1999.

REPLY SOUGHT: The Lahore High Court on Thursday sought a reply from the Punjab government on a petition seeking registration of drug addicts and establishment of rehabilitation centres for them as enshrined in Control of Narcotics Substances Act, 1997.

In a public interest litigation petition filed by Rida Qazi, it was stated that after the 18th amendment passed in 2010, the provincialgovernment was bound to initiate measures for the rehabilitation of drug addicts.

She said the high court had been issuing directions to the government for taking steps for launching projects for the welfare of drug addicts but nothing was done so far.

She said the government was legally obligated to take measures for making the addicts responsible citizens of society.

The counsel for the communication and works department told the court that establishment of rehabilitation centres was in process.

The court adjourned hearing till May 5 and directed the government to submit a detailed reply.