ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Federal Tax Ombudsman Justice Saleem Akhtar has asked the Central Board of Revenue to release the due refund of a taxpayer withheld in violation of law.

The decision was taken on the complaint of Crescent Art Fabrics (Pvt) Ltd, Lahore, which complained against the Lahore Dry Port for non-payment of refund duty paid by the company on a price higher than the actual price of the imported goods.

The Ombudsman in his decision observed that it was a clear case of arbitrary action to withhold the determined refund on flimsy and baseless grounds, which was nothing but harassment.

The FTO asked the CBR to direct the dry port authority to pay the amount of refund of duty involved in the case without delay and compliance be reported to this office within 30 days of this order.