Raza Kazmi
ISLAMABAD: Building on its momentum to maximize tax compliance, Federal Board of Revenue’s Inland Revenue Enforcement Network (IREN) Squads, has seized 8,320,000 illegal cigarettes worth Rs.21,479,625 involving duties and taxes of Rs.17,242,635 in the month of November, 2021. Likewise, in the first five months of FY 2021-22, IREN has seized non-duty/tax paid cigarettes of Rs. 177,959,737 (approximately 74,131,500 sticks) resulting in detection of evasion of duties and taxes worth Rs.142,905,265.
It is pertinent to mention that the Prime Minister of Pakistan has recently launched Track & Trace System on the Sugar Sector. Therefore, IREN has also been entrusted to ensure its enforcement in entire supply chain of Sugar Industry. For this purpose, the Chief Coordinator IREN and his Regional Enforcement Squads across Pakistan are geared to conduct raids and ensure seizures on the non-tax paid sugar stocks, which move out of the factory premises/warehouses without tax stamps. As a result, IREN Squads have intensified their operations in every nook and corner of the country, against the non-compliant supply chain operators dealing in sugar sector in order to maximize revenue potential.
The Squads have raided various sugar dealers in almost all big cities and various small towns to check sugar stocks. During these raids Hyderabad Squad has seized stock of 172 sugar bags without affixing of Tax Stamps in the premises of M/s Gulzar & Co. The stock of 172 sugar bags was seized and legal action was being initiated against those who were found involved in the tax evasion.
Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, the Chairman FBR/Secretary Revenue Division has appreciated the performance of IREN Squads and announced cash reward for those officers, who conducted successful raids. He stated that Track & Trace system coupled with IREN’s valiant drive would help overcome the menace of non-tax paid goods in the market.
Meanwhile, the faculty and officers of 115th National Management Course, National School of Public Policy (NSPP) visited Federal Board of Revenue (HQs) on 9th December, 2021. The participants comprised 7 faculty member and 37 trainee officers of NMC. The senior officers of FBR from the Administration Wing received the visiting guests. The delegation was briefed by Dr. Nasir Khan, Chief (Admn), FBR at Yadgar-e-Shuhada of FBR about the sacrifices rendered by the officers of IRS and Pakistan Customs, who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Later, the delegates were led to the Auditorium where they were formally welcomed by the Spokesperson/Director Media, FBR. After the introduction by the participants, Dr. Nasir Khan, DG (SPR & S), FBR gave a detailed presentation about the working of FBR, which was followed by an interactive Question and Answer Session. The participants asked very pertinent questions about the taxation system in Pakistan, which were comprehensively answered by the Chairman FBR himself.
After the Q & A Session, Dr. Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmed, Chairman FBR/Secretary Revenue Division addressed to the participants and shared his strategic vision about maximizing tax compliance through various innovative interventions being made both at policy and operational level.
The Chairman thanked the participants for showing keen interest in knowing about the working of FBR and appreciated their questions. He highlighted the achievements of FBR in the last one and a half year. He particularly mentioned about the increased revenue generation by FBR in the last Financial Year 2020-21 and as well as the growth trajectory in the first five months of current Financial Year 2021-22.
The Chairman reaffirmed his commitment to ensure transparency, efficiency and taxpayers’ facilitation. He highlighted the introduction of Track and Trace System, establishment of Single Sales Tax Portal and formulation of Single Revenue Code as game changer initiatives. “The use of digitization and technology will maximize the revenue potential in the long run and contribute significantly to the credibility of tax system,” he added.
Representing the faculty and participants of 115th NMC, Dr. Muhammad Jameel Afaqi, Dean NSPP conveyed vote of thanks to Chairman and Team FBR for hosting them at FBR (HQs). The two organizations exchanged souvenirs as a gesture of goodwill. In the end, Chairman FBR thanked the faculty and participants of NMC for visiting FBR and wished them success in their professional career ahead.
