ISLAMABAD, Dec 23: Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) Justice Saleem Akhtar has directed the Central Board of Revenue (CBR) to release withheld amount of Rs20.268 million as refund to a complainant shortly.

The Ombudsman observed that it was shocking to note that despite the decision in favour of the complainant at the apex courts, the customs authorities failed to take action to allow refund of sales tax, said an official announcement issued on Monday.

The complainant, Glaxo Wellcome Pakistan Limited, alleged against the customs department for neglect, deliberate and intentional delay and ineptitude in the administration of justice by denying the refund of sales tax outstanding since 1999.

The company further argued that the continued intentional and deliberate delay in the compliance of the orders of the superior courts for the last 21 months have destroyed the credibility of the customs department.

The Ombudsman his orders recommended to the CBR to trace and identify the pending refund claims of the complainants and obtain necessary verification from the sales tax department within one month.

The Ombudsman directed the tax official to pay the refund claims to complainant within 45 days of this order. The CBR should identify officers responsible for delay in implementing the order of the High Court and making the refund and take suitable disciplinary action against them, he said.