ByIslamabad, Pakistan : The Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has directed an investigation into Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers for submitting false and misleading statements regarding the implementation of an FTO order.
The FTO’s order, upheld by the President, highlights the serious nature of the misconduct. The FBR officers were found to have taken coercive measures, such as bank account attachments, during the pendency of an appeal, violating internal FBR guidelines.
Advocate Waheed Shahbaz Butt, representing the taxpayer Dr. Iqbal Aujla, argued that the FBR’s actions constituted maladministration and undermined principles of fairness and justice.
The FTO has recommended disciplinary action against the officers involved, including reprimands from the Chief Commissioner Inland Revenue. Additionally, the Member-IR (Operations) has been instructed to review similar cases nationwide to ensure compliance with FBR directives.
This development underscores the importance of accountability and adherence to due process within the FBR. The FTO’s intervention highlights the need for stricter oversight and disciplinary action to prevent such instances of misconduct in the future.
