The committee marks irregularities from 2017-2022; FIRs filed, new probe body formed
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs a review meeting regarding FBR. Photo: GOP
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered expedited trial against all those involved in over-invoicing, terming it a “cruel practice” that went unchecked for years due to institutional negligence.
Chairing a weekly review meeting on the affairs of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the Prime Minister was briefed on a committee report looking into over-invoicing.
“From 2017 to 2022, this despicable practice continued while the relevant institutions remained consistently negligent in their duties,” the prime minister said, ordering authorities to speed up legal proceedings against those responsible.
Read: FBR misses tax target by Rs610bn
He appreciated the findings of the committee headed by Ahmed Sukhera and ordered the formation of another body under Shahid Khan to identify officials and institutions guilty of negligence and initiate departmental action. The new committee has been tasked with submitting its report as soon as possible.
“Tax money is a trust of the nation – protecting it is our duty and we are responsible for every penny,” said Prime Minister Shehbaz, stressing the need for transparency and accountability.
The Prime Minister also directed the authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy to prevent such practices in future and ordered that the Financial Monitoring Unit be made fully functional with representation from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
The meeting was informed that FBR has developed a centralized price verification portal which is expected to be integrated with banks by the end of June.
Read more: FBR orders quick tax refund
The FBR’s Post Clearance Audit Wing had only identified the over-invoicing practice in October 2022. So far, 13 FIRs have been registered against those involved, with legal proceedings underway.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Musadik Masood Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Justice Mansoor Usman Awan, Finance Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani, FBR Chairman and senior officials.
