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The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) now has legal authority to access citizens’ internet and phone call data during tax fraud investigations.
According to officials, internet service providers, telecom firms, and the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) must provide customer details upon FBR’s request.
Tax commissioners can directly seek subscriber names, call logs, technical usage data, and import or export records linked to an inquiry.
The new powers aim to trace hidden money trails in digital transactions. The FBR can also hire private auditors and technical experts for audits and investigations, provided they follow strict confidentiality rules prohibiting disclosure of taxpayer information.
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Officials say involving private sector expertise will improve valuations, technical reviews, and the overall quality of investigations. The FBR maintains that all acquired data will be used strictly for legal purposes.
Any official or appointed expert found leaking taxpayer data will face legal consequences. Authorities believe these enhanced powers strengthen the FBR’s ability to uncover tax fraud while maintaining privacy protections for citizens.
In other news, the Sindh High Court (SHC) has decided to initiate contempt of court proceedings against three senior Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officers in a tax fraud case against fashion designer Nomi Ansari.
The court expressed anger after the FBR and the federal government failed to satisfy queries regarding actions taken against the petitioner.
Chief Justice Junaid Ghaffar noted that instead of explaining its mechanism, the FBR registered a criminal case against the petitioner.
The court ordered contempt charges to be framed against Chief Commissioner of Inland Revenue Zahid Masood, Commissioner of Inland Revenue Rizwan Memon, and Assistant Commissioner of Inland Revenue Sehrish Javed.
The indictment is set for August 20, with notices issued to the Advocate General of Sindh and the Prosecutor General of Sindh.
