“It’s high time we focus on penalizing those within our own ranks who are undermining the nation’s financial integrity.”
BY COMMERCE REPORTER
LAHORE: After a massive tax fraud scandal that uncovered significant flaws within the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and its IT arm, Pakistan Revenue Automation (Pvt) Ltd (PRAL), Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry (LCCI) President Mian Abuzar Shad has demanded urgent reforms and accountability.
He said that refund and rebate claims should be reserved only for genuine exporters, a position the LCCI has consistently championed.
Reacting to the news of cybercriminals exploiting dormant tax accounts to conduct fake transactions of Rs1.625 trillion. “For years, the business community has been unfairly labeled as thieves, while the real losses to the national exchequer are being inflicted by government institutions themselves,” Shad stated. He pointed out that despite having over 23,000 highly qualified employees, the FBR continues to be at the center of such scandals.
“The country faces repeated setbacks due to the dishonesty and negligence of officials who are meant to safeguard public funds. Afghanistan, despite lacking an elaborate bureaucratic system, has shown remarkable progress, growing its foreign exchange reserves from zero to $13 billion. At the same time, Pakistan, with its educated officers and extensive administrative network, is trapped in cycles of losses,” Shad said, highlighting the glaring inefficiencies within Pakistan’s system.
The scandal, which pointed out the involvement of insiders from FBR and PRAL in bypassing security checks and manipulating taxpayer data, shows a severe breach of trust. The cybercriminals targeted dormant accounts like that of 79-year-old Mrs. Firdous Anwar and deceased taxpayer Sultan Ali, committing paper transactions that triggered substantial tax liabilities without any real exchange of goods or money.
“The government must expose and take stringent action against the corrupt and dishonest officials responsible for such breaches,” Shad urged. He called for exemplary punishments to serve as a deterrent for others and restore trust in the system. “It’s high time we focus on penalizing those within our own ranks who are undermining the nation’s financial integrity.”
Mian Abuzar Shad added limiting refund and rebate facilities to verified exporters would safeguard public revenue and encourage compliance. “Reforms and accountability are not just necessary; they are fundamental for protecting economy and securing a future where the business community can thrive without baseless accusations.”
