ISLAMABAD, July 16: The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO), Justice (retired) Saleem Akhtar, has asked the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to allow re-export of gold bangles brought by a complainant in his luggage.

The decision was taken on the complaint of Azhar Iqbal who told the FTO that the tax officials had confiscated the gold bangles he brought in his baggage. He said on arrival at the Quaid-i-Azam International Airport on October 19, 2000, he declared eight gold bangles as gift for his wife and wanted to pay the customs duty leviable thereon.

He said instead of allowing payment of duty, the customs officials confiscated the bangles without issuing a show-cause notice and providing opportunity of hearing.

The ombudsman observed that the confiscation order passed by the adjudication officer was contrary to the established practice without valid reasons. The order was perverse, unjust and oppressive and the pendency of the appeal reflects neglect and inefficiency in the discharge of duty on the part of the competent officer, the FTO observed.

The FTO asked the CBR to allowed the complainant to export the gold under section 142 of the customs act at the time of his departure from Pakistan. He said an appropriate order be issued by the CBR within 15 days and compliance be reported to this office within 30 days.