Committee flags irregularities from 2017–2022; FIRs filed, new probe body formed
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairing a review meeting regarding FBR. Photo: GOP
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday ordered expedited legal action against all those involved in over-invoicing, terming it a “heinous 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 premier was briefed on a committee report probing over-invoicing.
“From 2017 to 2022, this despicable practice continued while the relevant institutions remained consistently negligent in their duties,” the prime minister said, directing authorities to fast-track legal proceedings against those responsible.
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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 at the earliest.
“Tax money is a trust of the nation — safeguarding it is our duty, and we are accountable for every single penny,” PM Shehbaz said, stressing the need for transparency and accountability.
The prime minister also directed authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy to prevent such practices in the 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 the FBR has developed a Centralised Price Verification Portal, which is expected to be integrated with banks by the end of June.
Read More: FBR orders fast-track tax refunds
The FBR’s Post Clearance Audit Wing had first 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, Attorney General Mansoor Usman Awan, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, the FBR chairman and senior officials.