Islamabad: A Senate Sub-Committee met at the Old PIPS Hall, Parliament lodges, led by Senator Saifullah Abro, to review the investigation into the alleged misuse of the FATA/PATA tax exemption scheme and the recovery of evaded taxes. The committee seeks comprehensive records and effective action against those involved.

According to Senate of Pakistan, the meeting included Senator Umer Farooq and senior officials from various ministries. The Chairman criticized the absence of the Director General of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency, highlighting a lack of seriousness from the authorities. Representatives from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) presented their positions, revealing discrepancies between customs import data and consumption certificates, with an unreconciled difference of Rs.730.797 billion.

The FIA reported issuing 512 notices to companies, with only 19 responding partially. The Committee expressed concerns over the FBR’s reluctance to share records and emphasized the need for transparency and accountability. The investigation also involves examining alleged financial irregularities and money laundering, with the Committee urging the FBR and FIA to take coordinated action.

The Sub-Committee scheduled an in-camera meeting for November 16 to further examine sensitive records, urging relevant authorities to provide all necessary information. The Committee stressed the importance of recovering public funds and ensuring accountability.

Additionally, the FIA briefed the Committee on the Silver Swapping and Heist Case, a separate high-profile investigation involving the alleged swapping of silver with lead bars. The FIA’s efforts in recovering 214 kilograms of silver were commended, and the case continues with ongoing investigations.

The Chairman praised the FIA’s progress and suggested that the incident could be depicted in a film, highlighting the theft and its detection through the Safe City surveillance system.