ISLAMABAD JULY 29: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) personnel who have been called in tax refund cases cannot be subjected to coercion by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) due to an order from the Lahore High Court.
In a ruling, LHC judge Tariq Saleem Sheikh forbade the FIA from using any form of coercion against the FBR officials.
The petitioners’ attorney has argued that an examination and investigation under the Act’s provisions must be carried out with regard to the offenses covered by the Act’s schedule.
It is relevant to note that the FIA had summoned FBR officers, including Member IR Operations, in refunds made to large companies. Reportedly, Member IR Operations and others have not joined the FIA inquiry. It is noteworthy to mention here that FBR suspended officers after speed money issues surfaced in this refund case.
Moreover, the claim is that the Income Tax Act of 1990 and the Sales Tax Act of 1990 are not listed in the Schedule Act, meaning that the FIA has no jurisdiction to conduct an inquiry regarding refunds made to large companies.
