Pakistan

Cannot take any action over Panama leaks under existing law: FBR chairman

The body will ask govt to revamp law to act against Pakistanis named for having offshore companies, says Nisar Khan

Qamar Zaman May 25, 2016

Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Mohammad. PHOTO: FBR WESBITE

ISLAMABAD: Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Chairman Nisar Muhammad Khan said on Wednesday the body cannot take any legal actions against the Pakistanis named in Panama Papers leaks under existing laws.

“We have limitations of laws … and will ask [the government] for revamping [of laws] in this budget,” he told inquisitive members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held in Islamabad.

His statement comes in the wake of political storm that was triggered in the country after opposition parties protested over inaction of concerned authorities.

Not answerable to opposition on Panama Papers, says PM Nawaz

The government has been under tremendous pressure since the Panama Papers revealed the names of around 220 Pakistanis, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s immediate family members, keeping offshore accounts in international tax havens.

Although Khan has pointed finger at stumbling blocks for the FBR, he did not specify which particular law or provision had stopped them from taking action on its own.

It was Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Shafqat Mehmood who invited attention of the FBR chairman over the leaks and first reaction of the latter was to point out in return that “Panama Papers is not on the agenda [of PAC meeting]”.

But Mehmood seemed resolute enough to get some answers from the chairman and for that matter he put a hypothetical situation before him and asked: “Do you wait for orders or take action on your own when you [FBR] learn about a case of tax evasion through media reports or any other source?”

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“We take action on our own,” replied the chairman.

When asked if he has taken any action against a legion of Pakistanis named for having offshore companies, the FBR chairman did not give a direct answer and said FBR had not taken any action but “I can assure you that we are doing our homework”.

After repeated questions, Khan explained ‘homework’ as looking into their [those named in Panama Papers] declarations.

COMMENTS (5)

Javed ali | 8 years ago | Reply Ridiculous. I have no doubt this man is lying. He says there is no law to caoture tax evaders. He must be insane.

Maula Jat | 8 years ago | Reply This is hiding behind regulations. This is really sad, as he has NOT indicated which law. Do you think if he was an honest and forthright person, willing to take on the PMLN administration, he would have EVER made it to the current post of the Chairman FBR. He is precisely there, because there was no chance of him ever posing a threat to the kleptocrats running this country. One hopes that his kids, next of kin, family members take notice and show some degree of disdain on his personal lack of scruples, and at least give him some grief, instead of agreeing with his stance.

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karachi3 | 8 years ago | Reply Incompetence of FBR is now confirmed.

Midas | 8 years ago | Reply What a piece of crap. You prove money was not declared for tax purposes and/or laundered and you have a case of tax evasion. In history of Pakistan there has not been a single conviction for tax evasion. Shame on these people, they all think they will not be presented before Allah, and their Umraas and Hajj will save them.

Ali | 8 years ago | Reply Will he bite the hand that feeds him? If he pushes too hard then PML-Nawaz will replace him. THE NAB should take over from here. Clear conflicts of interest.

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