Mahaz applied for Tax Appeal Tribunal to understand the system better

Former Supreme Court Justice Mahaz Ali Zahir applied for the Tax Appeal Tribunal because he is interested in understanding how the system operates, despite the incumbent member's term expiring in only two months.

Justice Mahaz was among the President's nominees interviewed today for the Tax Appeal Tribunal by the Judiciary Committee of Parliament.

During his interview, when responding to a committee member's question, Mahaz stated that tax issues are not difficult for him, noting that he had handled most of the tax cases decided by the Supreme Court to date.

“When you look at all of that, it’s not that difficult [compared with tax appeal tribunal cases]- so not two months, even one month,” Mahaz said.

“I thought it would be a good opportunity to experience and see how the system works.”

He clarified that he applied for the Tax Appeal Tribunal position after it had been announced for the fourth time.

"When I was in the Supreme Court, I always looked at the notices and jobs gazetted regularly. If I remember correctly, I applied when the Tax Appeal Tribunal announced for the fourth time. It seemed like no one was applying for the position.”

PNC MP Mohamed Shahid, a member of the Judiciary Committee, specifically questioned Mahaz about his interest in contesting a position that expires within two months.

"How did you develop this interest in this? For only two months of work?" Shahid asked.

Prior to the question, Mahaz had mentioned in his introduction that he has been conducting his own legal work since his dismissal from the Supreme Court.

The President submitted the names of six candidates for the two vacancies on the Tax Tribunal, seeking approval for two of them. Mahaz's name was listed first among the candidates.