FBR Denies Allegations Levelled During Rally

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 17th Augst,2016) : Federal board of Revenue (FBR) has expressed its serious concern regarding unfounded allegations of `fixing' Tax record of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, and his family members during a post mid-night political rally in the capital on Sunday.

The allegations were strongly denied as being mere speculative and unsubstantiated,said a statement issued by FBR here Wednesday. The FBR considered the Tax record of all taxpayers as a sacred trust and under section 216 of Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, it cannot be shared with unauthorized persons. It added that the FBR has fool-proof automated processes for record maintenance and updation.

"No individual can alter, edit or modify the record except as provided under the law and standard operating procedures. Record is stored in secure database and any access to the same is automatically recorded by the system.

There is thus no question of tampering with the record in any manner whatsoever", the statement said.

The allegations, the FBR said were totally false and baseless and constitute an attempt to bring two very competent, honest and senior officers of FBR enjoying impeccable reputation of integrity and professional competence to disrepute. It can demoralize and discourage the employees of FBR who had just recently been successful in making an unprecedented accomplishment of surpassing a massive collection target of Rs 3104 Billion during financial year 2015-16.

FBR expected that while issuing such statements our political leaders would consider the adverse impact such statements have on the individual's reputation in the society and the morale of national institutions. The employees of FBR feel disheartened and demoralized.

It would be in best national interest if such allegations are retracted and FBR is allowed to continue performing its functions and duties in a non-partisan manner, the statement added.