Pakistan requests information from Turkey on tax evaders

Ankara cites incomplete data for not providing information

Representational image. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan has requested Turkey to provide data of people and companies involved in tax evasion, however, Turkey has excused from providing this on the pretext that the information provided to them was incomplete.

Turkey has asked the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for more information, including verification of FBR DG International Taxes Muhammad Ashfaq Ahmad’s authority to send such requests.

According to a document available with The Express Tribune, Ministry of Treasury and Finance Presidency of Revenue Administration Group Head Ahmed Yaldram wrote a letter to the FBR under article 24 of Double Taxation Agreement between the two countries saying that Ashfaq’s name is not included in the list of authorised officers to ask information. His name is also not included in the list for tax purposes maintained by transparency and exchange of information’s international forum.

The letter from Turkey further says that the revenue administration has done a thorough research and according to the record Fethiye Sat Turizm Ticaret Ithalat Ve Ihracat LTD, Sti is not registered as a taxpayer and thus no further information can be provided in this regard.


According to the reply from the Turkish authorities, the other name, Manahil Majid, also could not be traced in the database and therefore more information is required to investigate about her again. Background information and the duration for which the data about tax evasion by the other persons is required should also be provided. If any relevant bank transactions and account details are available, that should also be shared.

Any findings about her and recommendations should also be shared, if possible so that her financial activities could be unearthed. Information about her assets in Turkey with addresses and her financial institutions and banks accounts in Pakistan, branch names, IBAN and other information should also be shared, which will help the comprehensive investigations, it added. 

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14th, 2019.

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