BeNewz
Related Articles
Aftab Maken
Senator Faisal Vawda has alleged that officials of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) have threatened him with dire consequences for raising the issue of vehicle purchases. The Chairman of the FBR stated that a high-level inquiry should be conducted into the threats of intimidation.
He assured that a thorough assessment of vehicle purchases would be undertaken, and currently, no vehicles would be procured until the matter is investigated by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
Under the leadership of Chairman Saleem Mandviwalla, a session of the Senate Committee on Finance was convened. During the session, Senator Faisal Vawda disclosed that three FBR officers had threatened him with violence, calling for criminal action to be taken in this regard.
Chairman Mandviwalla revealed that he too had received some threatening messages. Faisal Vawda informed Mandviwalla that he received a letter on January 10th, and on the same day, a letter of intent was issued, following which one company was raided against the order, while another company was raided.
Committee members demanded that this issue be referred to a law enforcement agency or the FBI. The Chairman of the FBR said that a high-level inquiry should be conducted into the threats of intimidation.
Faisal Vawda insisted that inquiries into his case should continue, and if any other senator receives threats, action should be taken. Committee member Senator Farooq Naik said he believed the threat issue should be handed over to the FBI. The committee should expose the threat issue.
FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial said that significant work has been done to remove corrupt officers from their positions. I have not put a single officer on recommendation in the last six months, I will not remain in the FBI for the next six months, a comprehensive survey will be conducted for vehicle purchases, and currently, no vehicles will be procured. This matter should be investigated by the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
Faisal Vawda said that the issue of vehicle purchases should be resolved within three days. During the committee meeting, a revenue shortfall of Rs. 38.6 billion occurred during the six months.
Finance Minister Mohammad Aurangzeb had said that the policy would be separated from the FBI in the next fiscal year, and measures would be taken to reduce the burden on the salaried class, and measures are being taken to simplify the tax form for the salaried class.
The finance minister said that only 60 to 70 percent of the salary class pays tax, and there is no connection between the super tax and the salary class of 60 to 70 percent.
The FBR authorities said that there has been a decrease in tax collection due to inflation in the current fiscal year, and this year the number of income tax filers has reached 4 million, compared to 2 million last year.
