ISLAMABAD: Attorney General of Pakistan, Mansoor Usman Awan, informed the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on Wednesday that the Federal Tax Ombudsman (FTO) has no authority to handle cases related to the classification of goods or tax assessments.
Speaking to the committee, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, Awan explained that the FTO’s role does not extend to tax assessments, the valuation of goods, or their classification. These matters, he stated, fall under the jurisdiction of the Customs Classification Committee.
Under Section 9 of the Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance of 2000, the FTO cannot intervene in cases where matters are already under review by a court, tribunal, or other authority. Additionally, the Ombudsman’s office cannot address issues related to the assessment of income, wealth, or the classification and valuation of goods when legal remedies like appeals or reviews are available under the relevant laws.
The committee also discussed the non-implementation of a Presidential Order dated July 16, 2025, which relates to the classification of goods and the FTO’s jurisdiction. The committee members expressed concern that challenging the decisions of the Ombudsman’s office would undermine its intended role as a final appellate mechanism. It was agreed that the Attorney General’s legal opinion would be sought to resolve the matter.
Furthermore, the committee addressed allegations raised by Senator Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan regarding the harassment of Senators by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Chairman Senator Mandviwalla advised Dr. Khan to await the outcome of the appeal pending before the relevant forum. The committee stressed the need for impartiality in tax administration and emphasized that state institutions should not be used for political victimization.
The committee also discussed the Virtual Assets Bill 2025, which seeks to create a regulatory framework for virtual assets. The bill aims to protect against misuse while fostering innovation and economic participation, particularly among youth. Members raised concerns about consumer protection, regulatory overlaps, and the bill’s relationship to existing legislation. It was agreed that further deliberations would take place in the next meeting to refine certain clauses.
The meeting was attended by Senators Abdul Qadir, Dr. Afnan Ullah Khan, Sherry Rehman, Faisal Vawda, Dilawar Khan, Farooq Hamid Naek, and Ahmed Khan, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Law and Justice, the Ministry of Finance, and other relevant departments.
