The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has highlighted that a key recommendation regarding misconduct by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers remains unimplemented. The FTO had advised action against FBR personnel allegedly involved with private tax fraud gangs selling non-customs paid products.
In Complaint No. 1763/2024, the FTO directed FBR to initiate disciplinary proceedings against officers who failed to submit comments in a case involving the sale of non-custom paid goods in connivance with certain FBR, Customs, and IRS employees. The complaint noted that this activity has caused significant revenue losses.
The FTO further instructed the Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation in both Customs and Inland Revenue to conduct a detailed investigation into the matter, including tracing cyber activities linked to the introduction of fake supplies into the supply chain.
The complaint requested that the FBR, with support from the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and other relevant agencies, submit a detailed report on the findings. It also called for FIRs against the alleged masterminds, and for the matter to be referred to FIA, NAB, or the Supreme Court’s HR Cell for appropriate disciplinary and criminal proceedings.
The FTO noted that ignoring these recommendations risks promoting tax evasion and undermining Pakistan’s taxation system, as non-customs paid products continue to be sold without adequate checks.
