ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has apprised the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament that over Rs.300 billion recovery cases were pending before the courts due to stay orders.
The committee which met here with Acting Chairman Sardar Ashiq Hussain Gopan reviewed audit paras of FBR for fiscal year 2013-14. Briefing the committee FBR chairman Dr Muhammad Irshad told the committee that FBR was facing immense problems due to prolong stay orders in recovery cases and sought the parliament support and legislation in this regard.
The PAC directed FBR to block Computerized National Identity Cards (CNICs) of those people who were hesitating depositing public money. FBR was further directed to take up the issue with interior ministry and proper process should be started into the matter.
The FBR Chairman said recovery process has already been expedited and steps were being taken to pursue cases in light of PAC direction.
He said high courts and others courts were requested to constitute special benches to hear the cases. He said a software has also been prepared to monitor tax collection.
The PAC directed the Chairman FBR to ensure holding of departmental audit committee meetings in time and took stern action against responsible officials for their failure to recover public money.
Dr Irshad said earlier there were no legal wing in FBR and services of competent lawyers were hired to pursue the cases.
Mehmood Khan Achakzai was of the view FBR was unable to recover the amount during the last five years. He said the audit report reflected that no action was taken against anyone for their failure.
