Govt to Empower FBR With Draconian Laws Against Businesses Involved in Tax Irregularities

The federal government is preparing to restore the powers of the Directorate General of Intelligence and Investigation wing of Inland Revenue, a key enforcement arm of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), top sources told ProPakistani. Senior officials within the FBR revealed that court rulings had significantly curtailed the Directorate’s authority, particularly in areas related to arresting suspects and lodging First Information Reports (FIRs) against businesses involved in tax evasion and irregularities. These limitations, they said, weakened enforcement and hampered ongoing efforts to curb revenue leakages. However, as part of the upcoming budget, the government now intends to re-empower the Directorate by legislatively reinstating these enforcement capabilities. Once implemented, the move could mark a turning point in the FBR’s crackdown on tax evasion, enhancing its ability to investigate and take action against offenders without procedural bottlenecks.