Islamabad, Pakistan: While the government has recently lauded an FBR officer for uncovering a massive Rs290 billion tax evasion scheme, a whistleblower who initially exposed the fraud remains unrecognized and unrewarded.
The whistleblower, who provided crucial information leading to the recovery of over Rs2.5 billion in taxes from a multinational corporation, has been waiting for two years for the promised reward. Despite the FTO’s orders and the FBR’s acknowledgment of his contribution, the whistleblower’s claim remains unfulfilled.
In contrast, the FBR officer who investigated the case based on the whistleblower’s information has been rewarded with Rs5 million by the Prime Minister. This disparity has raised questions about the fairness of the reward system and the recognition of whistleblowers who play a vital role in exposing corruption and tax evasion.
The whistleblower’s case highlights the importance of protecting whistleblowers and ensuring that they receive due recognition and rewards for their contributions. It is crucial to have a robust system in place to incentivize whistleblowing and encourage individuals to come forward with information about corruption and fraud.
The FBR and the government must take immediate steps to address the whistleblower’s concerns and ensure that he receives the reward he rightfully deserves. This will not only promote transparency and accountability but also encourage others to come forward and expose wrongdoing.
