ISLAMABAD: The Federal Tax Ombudsman has disposed of a petition challenging FTO’s announcement and recommendations regarding a case carrying complaint about leakage of confidential information to the press by staffers of the Federal Board of Revenue’s field office in Islamabad.
The FTO took stern notice of maladministration against the FBR field office. The FTO, in the present case, recommended the FBR to conduct an investigation into leakage of information about Master Tiles and Ceramic Industries Limited.
While disposing of the matter, the FTO observed that “tt needs to be probed as to who was responsible for leaking the confidential information with specific details of Master Tiles & Ceramic Industries Limited to the press.”
The FTO also advised the FBR chairman to reconsider the unbridled powers given to Director General Intelligence and Investigation, Inland Revenue, Islamabad.
The FTO also expressed concerns over violation of apex court’s directives barring leakage of confidential information to the press.
The appellant had filed the petition under section 14(8) of the Establishment of Federal Tax Ombudsman Ordinance, 2000 read with section 13 of Federal Ombudsman Institutional Reforms Act, 2013.
The complainant had contented that investigation carried out by the Director General Intelligence and Investigation, Inland Revenue, Islamabad and issuance of notices by them were out of jurisdiction, has not been found to be legally correct.
