KARACHI: The spokesman of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), while referring to the news reports appearing in some national dailies on the June 4, 2017, has clarified that his remarks during the hearing of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance have been given a wrong twist.
He explained that he never stated that all Inland Revenue officers are compromised or dishonest. He was just explaining the difficulties faced by the FBR in monitoring and checking illegal sale of non-duty paid cigarettes.
These difficulties arise from the location of the factories and quantum of the tax evasion in the sector and the consequent resources at the command of the persons dealing in illicit business. The reports have caused a state of unrest and indignation among the officers of the Inland Revenue Service among whom are included officers of unblemished integrity and professional skills.
The official spokesperson emphasized that it is the commitment, integrity and hard work of the officers of the FBR that has resulted in 80 percent increase in the revenue collections in four years and increased the number of returns enforced by FBR from 750,000 to above 1,200,000 in the same period.
These achievements are in addition to unprecedented increase in detection of cases of tax evasion and resulting recoveries. FBR is a premier institution of the country and the national media is requested to display due care and diligence in reporting about its officers as such reports have a highly adverse impact o
