The Committee reports irregularities from 2017 to 2022; FIR filed and new investigative body formed
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs review meeting regarding FBR. Photo: GOP
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered expedited legal action against all those involved in overcharging, calling it a “heinous practice” that went unchecked for years due to institutional negligence.
Chairing a weekly business review meeting of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), the prime minister was briefed on a committee report investigating over-invoicing.
“From 2017 to 2022, this despicable practice continued while the institutions concerned remained systematically negligent in their duties,” the Prime Minister said, ordering authorities to accelerate legal proceedings against those responsible.
Read: FBR misses its tax target by Rs610b
He appreciated the findings of the Ahmed Sukhera-led committee and ordered the formation of another body under Shahid Khan to identify officials and institutions guilty of negligence and initiate departmental action. The new commission was 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 spent,” Prime Minister Shehbaz said, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
The Prime Minister also asked the authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy to prevent such practices in the future and ordered that the Financial Monitoring Unit be fully functional, with representation from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB).
The meeting was informed that the FBR has developed a centralized price verification portal, which is expected to be integrated with banks by June end.
Learn more: FBR orders accelerated tax refunds
The FBR’s post-facto monitoring wing had first identified the practice of overcharging in October 2022. So far, 13 FIRs have been registered against those involved, and legal action is underway.
The meeting was attended by Federal Ministers Musadik Masood Malik, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, Chairman FBR and senior officials.
