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Business Recorder
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gohar Ejaz hails Field Marshal for ‘safeguarding business community'
ISLAMABAD: Economic Policy & Business Development (EPBD) Chairman Gohar Ejaz gave full credit to Field Marshal Asim Munir for 'safeguarding the respect and honour of the business community' from the extended powers granted to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in the Finance Act 2025. The FBR issued a detailed procedure of investigation before any arrest of businessmen under sales tax general order (STGO) number 2 of 2025 on Wednesday. Ejaz termed the government's decision of making it mandatory for tax officials to consult at least two representatives of the business community before initiating investigations that could lead to arrests in tax fraud cases as a victory for taxpayers of the country. 'As announced in the meeting on July 21, 2025 with business leaders, Field Marshal Asim Munir has safeguarded the respect and honour of the business community from the draconian powers granted to the FBR in the Finance Act 2025, following a presentation by the leadership of FPCCI — Dr Gohar Ejaz, SM Tanveer, the President of FPCCI, and the presidents of 18 chambers, including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Sarhad, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sialkot.' According to the STGO, the board has directed that the following procedure shall be followed before initiating investigation leading to action under sub-section (8) and (9) of section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. (a) Inquiry shall not be initiated unless approval from the Commissioner has been obtained. (b) After conclusion of inquiry, the Commissioner shall not give approval to initiate investigation unless he has obtained approval from the Member (Inland Revenue Operations) of the Board. Before seeking approval of the Member (Inland Revenue Operations), it is binding upon the Commissioner to make consultation with two representatives of the business community from amongst such representatives as notified by the Board. (c) Board shall notify a list of representatives of business community on FBR's web portal.
Business Recorder
08-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
STGO issuance welcomed: Businessmen laud curbs on FBR arrest powers
ISLAMABAD: Business community lauded government's move to restrict Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) arrest powers and welcomed the issuance of the Sales Tax General Order (STGO), which outlines a detailed procedure for investigation prior to the arrest of any businessman. The FBR has issued a detailed procedure of investigation before any arrest of businessmen under sales tax general order (STGO) number 2 of 2025 on Wednesday. Economic Policy & Business Development (EPBD) Chairman Gohar Ejaz gave full credit to Field Marshal Asim Munir for safeguarding the respect and honour of the business community from the draconian powers granted to the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) in the Finance Act 2025. Ejaz termed the government's decision of making it mandatory for tax officials to consult at least two representatives of the business community before initiating investigations that could lead to arrests in tax fraud cases as a victory for taxpayers of the country. 'As announced in the meeting on July 21, 2025 with business leaders, Field Marshal Asim Munir has safeguarded the respect and honour of the business community from the draconian powers granted to the FBR in the Finance Act 2025, following a presentation by the leadership of FPCCI — Dr. Gohar Ejaz, SM Tanveer, the President of FPCCI, and the presidents of 18 chambers, including Karachi, Lahore, Quetta, Sarhad, Faisalabad, Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Rahim Yar Khan, and Sialkot, Ejaz added. According to the STGO, the Board has directed that the following procedure shall be followed before initiating investigation leading to action under sub-section (8) and (9) of section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. (a) Inquiry shall not be initiated unless approval from the Commissioner has been obtained. (b) After conclusion of inquiry, the Commissioner shall not give approval to initiate investigation unless he has obtained approval from the Member (Inland Revenue Operations) of the Board. Before seeking approval of the Member (Inland Revenue Operations), it is binding upon the Commissioner to make consultation with two representatives of the business community from amongst such representatives as notified by the Board. (c) Board shall notify a list of representatives of business community on FBR's web portal. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
07-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Probe before any arrest: FBR wing legally bound to consult business reps
ISLAMABAD: Fulfilling a major demand of the business community, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) Member (Inland Revenue Operations) would be legally bound to consult representatives of the business community before ordering any investigation to arrest a businessman on charges of tax fraud. Without this consultation process with the business community, no investigation against the businessman would be approved by the FBR Member (Inland Revenue Operations). The FBR has issued a detailed procedure of investigation before any arrest of businessmen under sales tax general order (STGO) number 2 of 2025 on Wednesday. Arrest in ST fraud cases: FBR IR officers empowered to exercise civil court powers Representatives of the business community responded that the notification of the pre-arrest committee regarding section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 as per agreement, having two representatives of business committee from the concerned zone has been issued by the FBR. This will be a safeguard that no undue pressure/action is taken against the business community of Pakistan because of presence of our two members in the committee, they added. According to the STGO, the Board has directed that the following procedure shall be followed before initiating investigation leading to action under sub-section (8) and (9) of section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. (a) Inquiry shall not be initiated unless approval from the Commissioner has been obtained. (b) After conclusion of inquiry, the Commissioner shall not give approval to initiate investigation unless he has obtained approval from the Member (Inland Revenue Operations) of the Board. Before seeking approval of the Member (Inland Revenue Operations), it is binding upon the Commissioner to make consultation with two representatives of the business community from amongst such representatives as notified by the Board. (c) Board shall notify a list of representatives of business community on FBR's web portal. € Trade organizations mentioned shall nominate two persons each, (who should be compliant and reasonably significant taxpayers) and send their names to the Member Inland Revenue Operations, FBR Head Quarters. The trade organizations mentioned in the STGO shall nominate two persons each, (who should be compliant and reasonably significant taxpayers) and send their names to the Member Inland Revenue Operations, FBR Head Quarters. The Member Inland Revenue Operations shall nominate 02 persons For each region for consultation from amongst persons nominated by The Trade Organizations based on the income tax payments made bythem for the latest tax year, exports and compliance history. The Member Inland Revenue Operations shall not select more than One person from a nominating trade organization in one region, FBR added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Sunday World
03-08-2025
- Sunday World
Senior garda charged with rape offences
High-ranking officer suspended from duty after long-running investigation into alleged sexual misconduct sees him appear at sitting of district court Figures show there are currently 94 members of the force suspended from duty A senior garda has been suspended from duty after appearing in court charged with a number of rape offences. He was arrested following a long-running investigation into alleged sexual offences led by specialist detectives. The garda, who has a legal right to anonymity due to the nature of the alleged offences, appeared before a sitting of a district court last month where he was formally charged. The senior garda faces three counts of rape against a female, which allegedly occurred on separate dates in the same year a number of years ago. The injured party in the case was known to him. One of the alleged offences is contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990. Court records state that the other two charges relate to offences contrary to Section 48 Offences Against the Person Act, 1861 and Section 2 of the Criminal Law (Rape) Act, 1981 as amended by section 21 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act, 1990. Figures show there are currently 94 members of the force suspended from duty News in 90 Seconds - Sunday, August 3rd He has also been suspended from duty by An Garda Síochána. His first court appearance was last month and he was remanded on bail. The senior officer is expected to appear in court again later this year. The legislation under which he is charged means he will face trial on indictment before the Central Criminal Court, which hears the most serious sexual offences. A Garda spokesperson said last night: 'As part of a Garda investigation into alleged sexual offences, a member of An Garda Síochána in Munster has been arrested and charged. The Garda is suspended.' The most recent figures available show that there are currently 94 members of An Garda Siochána suspended from duty. The figures, as of June 6, shows that these members have been suspended for a combined total of 89,534 days. They were released by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan following a parliamentary question by Sinn Fein TD Carol Nolan. These suspensions relate to a wide range of issues including theft, disclosure of information and assaults. Over a third of suspensions also relate to sexual assaults, driving while under the influence, and domestic violence. A large number of incidents which have resulted in a member of An Garda Síochána being removed from duty have also occurred while they were off-duty. The Policing and Community Safety Authority heard in May that around 55 gardaí were at that time also on 'non-public facing duties'.
Business Recorder
02-08-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Review of arrest cases: FBR sets up 2 ‘grievance redressal committees'
ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has constituted two 'Grievance Redressal Committees' to review cases of arrests of persons involved in sales tax frauds and also deputation of Inland Revenue officials at factories/manufacturing premises to monitor production/clearances. In this regard, the FBR has issued two notifications on Saturday. The Grievance Redressal Committee to review cases after arrest has nothing to do with the high-level FBR committee to be constituted for giving prior approval before arrest on allegations of tax fraud, a tax expert explained. The FBR has constituted a Grievance Redressal Committee to address complaints and review actions taken under sub-sections (8) and (9) of section 37A of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, particularly in cases involving arrests on charges of tax fraud. The section deals with the power to inquire and investigate offences warranting prosecution under Sales Tax Act and arrest of a person. Grievance Redressal Committee for cases under section 40B of the Sales Tax Act, 1990 has also been constituted. According to a notification issued by the FBR, the committee will serve as a forum for registered persons to raise concerns regarding arrests made under the relevant section of the law. The formation aims to ensure fair procedures and prevent possible misuse of powers of prosecution and arrests of taxpayers. Arrests for tax fraud: major changes made in sales tax law thru Finance Bill The first committee will comprise of members including Member IR Operations, FBR; Member Legal IR, FBR; President/Nominee, FPCCI and President/Nominee, Chamber of Commerce corresponding to the jurisdiction where a person was arrested within the last 15 days. Additionally, the Secretary (ST-Operations), IR will serve as the Secretary to the Committee, without holding voting rights. The committee is empowered to co-opt business representatives on a need basis and will convene at least once every fortnight. These meetings will focus on grievances submitted by registered taxpayers regarding arrests made under Section 37A. The decision of the committee will be communicated to the Chairman FBR, who is authorized to take appropriate action if any maladministration is identified by the committee. The FBR has also directed relevant members and offices to nominate representatives for the committee promptly. Through another notification, the FBR has constituted a committee for redressal of grievances and for regular review of actions taken by the field formations under section 40B of the Sales Tax Act, 1990, and will comprise of the following members: Member IR Operations, FBR Member Legal IR, FBR; President/Nominee, FPCCI; President/Nominee, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Karachi and President/Nominee, Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Lahore. Chief (ST-Operations) IR shall act as Secretary to the Committee. 3. The committee may co-opt other business/trade representatives on need basis and shall meet once in a fortnight to review and discuss any grievance brought by a registered person regarding actions taken under section 40B of the Sales Tax Act, 1990. The representative sector association for the relevant sector shall be given the opportunity to appear before this committee to present its case. 4. The scope of review of the committee shall be to oversee fair and transparent application of law. Recommendations of the Committee shall be conveyed to the Chairman, FBR, who may take action against the officers/officials in case any maladministration is reported by the committee, the FBR added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
