Pakistan's income tax authorities have attached the immovable properties of noted human rights activist Asma Jahangirand that of her relatives at Lahore for alleged default of Rs 3.2 million wealthtax.
Confirming the media reports in this regard, Asma's spokesman, Gohar told PTIover the phone from Lahore that the tax authorities have issued notices forattachment of properties of both Asma and her sister, Hina Jilani even thoughboth of them have paid their dues concerning their wealth tax.
Both the sisters, the recipients of this year's UNESCO award for women'sinitiative for peace, were currently out of the country.
Reporting the details of the case, Pakistan newspaper The Nation saidtoday that the immovable properties of Hina Jilani, Usman Jilani and Sabiha Jilanibesides that of Asma Jahangir have been attached by the I-T department. All thethree Jilanis are co-owners of the attached properties of Asma, it said.
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Reacting to the notices, Gohar said it was apparent that Asma, one of thevocal and bitter critic of human rights violations of official agencies as wellas extremist religious groups, was being victimised for her efforts forrestoration of democracy as well as her struggle to oppose the campaign ofslander being carried against NGOs by extremist groups.
He said early this month tax officials raided the residence of chairman ofthe Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Afrasiyab Khatak, on similargrounds of non payment of taxes, even though he had cleared all his tax dues. (PTI)
