Islamabad, 24 Apr, 2025: Internationally acclaimed Designer Nomi Ansari is at the centre of a significant tax investigation, as Pakistan’s Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has initiated legal proceedings against him over alleged tax evasion amounting to Rs1.25 billion.
According to officials, the case was filed after the Corporate Tax Office (CTO) in Karachi completed preliminary inquiries suggesting substantial discrepancies in the fashion designer’s financial declarations.
Following this, FBR teams reportedly conducted a series of coordinated raids on Ansari’s production facilities and retail branches in Karachi, where key accounting documents were confiscated.
The fashion mogul, known for his high-end couture and global presence in the fashion industry, is currently overseas.
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However, sources within the tax department stated that authorities might detain him upon his return to Pakistan.
Once back, he is likely to be summoned before the Customs and Taxation Court to face formal legal proceedings.
In addition to filing a First Information Report (FIR), the tax body has also issued an official demand notice, calling for payment of the allegedly evaded tax.
The notice forms a part of broader enforcement measures being adopted to enhance compliance within the retail and lifestyle sectors, which have previously been under scrutiny for underreporting sales.
This isn’t the first time Designer Nomi Ansari has encountered regulatory action. Earlier this year in February, the CTO Karachi had sealed several of his commercial outlets over non-adherence to sales tax obligations.
The action stemmed from failure to properly link his business operations with the mandatory Point-of-Sale (POS) system a digital platform introduced by FBR to monitor real-time sales.
When approached for a statement, Nomi Ansari had not responded by the time of publication. ProPakistani has confirmed that outreach was made, and any future responses will be reported as updates.
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The FBR has reiterated its commitment to strengthening tax enforcement and ensuring that high-profile individuals, regardless of status, are held accountable under the law.
The crackdown is part of a wider campaign to curb tax evasion and bring greater transparency to financial practices within luxury and service-based industries.
The unfolding case has drawn considerable public interest due to the designer’s popularity and the scale of the alleged financial misreporting. Further developments are anticipated as legal proceedings continue.
