The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO)’s important recommendation to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has still not been implemented, which called for action against private groups selling non-custom-paid (NCP) products in collusion with certain Customs and Inland Revenue officials.
Earlier, the FTO had issued a significant order in Case No. 1763 (Waheed Shehzad Butt vs. Secretary Revenue Division), directing the FBR to initiate disciplinary action against officers who failed to submit comments regarding groups involved in selling NCP products, causing major losses to national revenue. The Directorate of I&I-Customs and I&I-IR was to conduct a detailed investigation into the issues raised in the complaint.
Based on a public interest complaint filed by lawyer Waheed Shehzad Butt, the FTO instructed the FBR Chairman to conduct an inquiry with the help of FIA and other institutions and submit a detailed report.
The complainant appealed that FIRs be registered against the masterminds of this major financial scam so the case could be referred to the FIA, NAB, or the Supreme Court’s Human Rights Cell. He requested appropriate disciplinary and criminal action against public officials and others responsible, who—through illegally opened or maintained microfinance accounts—are selling NCP products across Pakistan, causing losses to the national treasury and taxpayers and undermining Pakistan’s taxation system.
