LAHORE: A serious allegation of impersonation and misuse of official identity has been raised against an entity operating under the name Inland Revenue Service Officers Association, which is accused of unlawfully using the name, address, and resources of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
The issue surfaced after a formal legal notice was served on the Chairman FBR by renowned constitutional lawyer Muhammad Azhar Siddique.
In the notice, the lawyer alleged that the so-called association falsely projected itself as an officially recognised body functioning from the FBR Headquarters in Islamabad, thereby misleading stakeholders and the public.
According to the legal notice, the entity used “IRSOA Secretariat, FBR Headquarters, Islamabad” on its official letterhead, creating a deceptive impression of institutional approval and official backing by the tax authority. However, subsequent verification reportedly revealed that no such association exists at the stated address.
Sources said that defamation notices dispatched to the alleged office bearers at the FBR headquarters address were returned by Pakistan Post. Postal authorities confirmed that there was no registered association operating under that name at the said location, strengthening claims that the entity was functioning under false pretences.
The notice further pointed out that the association provided a generic email address as its official contact, which was found to be non-functional and unresponsive, raising further doubts about its legitimacy.
More concerning was the discovery that the telephone number mentioned on the association’s letterhead allegedly belongs to a senior Inland Revenue Service officer currently posted in the Member Legal wing of the FBR. This revelation has triggered serious questions regarding potential misuse of official resources and possible internal facilitation.
In light of these developments, the legal notice demanded that the FBR immediately initiate a comprehensive inquiry into the existence, structure, and operations of the purported association. It also urged the revenue authority to instruct relevant law enforcement agencies to register an FIR against those involved for impersonation, fraud, and misuse of government resources.
Additionally, the legal team sought complete records of any officially recognised association of IRS officers, recovery of the telephone number and other facilities allegedly being misused, and a written response from the FBR within seven days outlining actions taken and findings of the inquiry.
Muhammad Azhar Siddique emphasised that swift and decisive action is essential to safeguard the credibility of the Federal Board of Revenue and to maintain the integrity of the Revenue Division.
